Yahoo News Strictly's Amy Dowden gets standing ovation in emotional return to ballroom
Strictly Come Dancing spoilers follow.
Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has received a standing ovation in an emotional return to the ballroom.
The professional dancer, who has been on the hit BBC show since 2017, was notably absent from last year's series after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
During tonight's (September 21) live show, Amy moved the audience to tears as she danced an elegant Waltz to Leo Sayer's ballad 'When I Need You' with her celebrity partner JB Gill. The pair scored an impressive 31 points.
After receiving a lengthy round of applause, the judges expressed their excitement at seeing Amy back in the ballroom and praised her "fantastic" choreography.
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"Amy it's so good to see you dancing again," said Motsi Mabuse, with Shirley Ballas adding: "Amy, you're home where you belong... This is going to be an absolutely epic partnership."
"I'm so happy, I could burst," Amy later said to Claudia Winkleman, with JB then sharing his surprise over how much he loved learning ballroom.
The show's viewers quickly took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their excitement at Amy's return to the dance floor, with one writing: "Seeing Amy back makes me way too happy."
"So happy for Amy, no one deserves a good partner more than her," another added, while a third said: "What a beautiful first dance from JB and Amy, and so excited to see Amy back on the dance floor with a partner. This partnership will be magical to watch and can't wait."
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A fourth viewer echoed the sentiment: "Crying watching @dowden_amy there. The joy on her face is just so wonderful. You are looking great and I'm so happy to see you looking so well."
To celebrate Amy's Strictly comeback, last week's launch show featured a special group dance, choreographed by the show's creative director Jason Gilkison.
"I'm so excited for every element of being back with my Strictly family," Amy previously said in a statement. "I'm so grateful to get this opportunity, especially as it's such a special year for this legendary show. It feels like it's my first year again."
Tonight's live show also featured a showstopping Cha Cha Cha, performed by Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell, and a Dolly Parton-inspired Quickstep with dancing duo Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola.
Strictly Come Dancing will return on Saturday, September 14 on BBC One, while spin-off Strictly: It Takes Two airs on weeknights on BBC Two. Both shows are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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