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Strictly’s Amy Dowden reveals brutal toll her cancer battle has taken on husband Ben and her secret plea to the BBC

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STRICTLY star Amy Dowden has revealed the brutal toll her cancer battle has taken on her husband Ben and her secret plea to the BBC.

Just months after tying the knot, the dancer, 33, was told that she has stage three breast cancer in May last year.

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Amy Dowden has opened up about her husbandCredit: Instagram
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Amy would love another series of Dare To Dance to airCredit: PA

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Amy was rushed to hospital last weekCredit: amy_dowden/Instagram

Amy underwent a full mastectomy and finished her chemotherapy at the end of 2023.

And one person who has been there through it all with her is her husband Ben.

Amy said: “Since my diagnosis in May, he hasn’t taken a break.

“He’s self-employed and works at our dance school. He’s been looking after me or working so he didn’t get a weekend off or a holiday or anything.

“Who goes from May to Christmas without a break at all? There was so much worry and anxiety that he had.”

She added to the Mirror: “Everything has been so wrapped up around my hospital [appointments] and I think as a relationship, we haven’t had the time that we needed to as a husband and wife would.”

Luckily the pair got to go away on a second honeymoon as part of a gift from ITV’s Lorraine.

Speaking about their getaway, Amy said: “It was so lovely and I don’t think we realised how much we both needed it until we got away.

“The pair of us are stronger than ever right now.”

Now that her hospital appointments are over, Amy is keen to get back to normal and get her career back on track.

Strictly’s Amy Dowden gives health update after she was rushed back into hospital amid cancer battle’

There’s one programme in mind that she’d love to return to.

Amy said: “I would love for BBC One to pick up Dare To Dance and go to the whole of the UK to share my joy of dance.

“Fingers crossed that we get a third series commissioned.

“After having my dancing taken away from me in the last few months, I’m ready to dig deeper into it now.”

The second series of Amy’s show hits our screens on March 1.

It comes just days after the star shared an emotional update on her cancer journey.

The 33-year-old star said: “NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE! Words I dreamed of! My biggest accomplishment yet!

Strictly Amy’s cancer ‘nightmare’

The Sun’s Jamie Downham takes a look at the beloved Strictly star’s ups and downs…

AS Strictly Come Dancing viewers know, you’ll struggle to catch Amy Dowden without a huge smile on her face.

But recently the Welsh star – one the best-rated Ballroom and Latin American professional dancers the UK has ever produced – has suffered a string of “nightmare” blows to her health.

She was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May last year and underwent a full mastectomy, before having chemotherapy towards the end of 2023.

However, she later reported docs had found a clot on her lung, telling fans sadly: “Unfortunately I’ve had another nightmare this week.”

Nonetheless, brave Amy, seen here dancing with James Bye, made an epic return to Strictly the following month with an appearance that left many viewers in floods tears.

As 2024 dawned, she admitted: “I feel I was robbed of the year I had planned and reflecting for me makes me upset and angry.”

However, she was soon smiling again. Amy, her hair starting to grow back after her cancer treatment, was seen messing around with her co-stars Dianne Buswell and Vito Coppola on the Strictly tour earlier this month.

And despite another spell in hospital, she still mustered a cheeriness many would struggle for, telling fans: “The sun is shining – and I certainly can’t wait for Spring.”

And we certainly can’t wait to see you dancing again, Amy…

“I won’t be getting the all clear for 5 years especially with a hormone fed cancer. But it was all worth it. Words I never thought I’d hear at one point.

“So grateful for all the care I received and continue to have.
To my husband, family and friends who supported me unconditionally and to you guys! Thank you!”

Amy continued: “I will still need a monthly injection for 5 years and regular check ups.

“Chemo and this past year has certainly took its toll on my body both physically and mentally, so I’ll be taking the next few months to heal and recover.

“I have so much to strive and live for, and so grateful for another chance at life! Something I know not all get. I certainly see life differently and my life has changed forever!

“Cancer affects too many so I will continue to do all I can to raise awareness and make sure I get as many as I can to #checkthemselves.

“It’s time to look ahead after what’s been the toughest year, and one I certainly didn’t expect!”

The incredible news came just days after Amy was rushed to hospital with respiratory problems.

Amy and Ben met in 2011, but kept their romance under wraps for a number of years.

They got engaged in 2017 and tied the knot in 2022.

Amy joined Strictly in 2017.

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Amy is a professional dancer on StrictlyCredit: BBC

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