Amy Dowden to return to Strictly after cancer battle

Professional dancer Amy Dowden has announced her return to the Strictly ballroom for the 2026 series. The 35-year-old, who was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago, had previously considered retiring from dancing following her illness.

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Dowden credited her close friend and Strictly professional Carlos Gu with motivating her not to "hang up her dancing shoes". She told The Mirror that she was at an "ultimate low" after being forced to withdraw from the 2024 series due to her health. Receiving what she described as "tough love" and "motivation" from Gu and her husband, Ben Jones, helped her regain confidence.

Dowden had undergone chemotherapy and a mastectomy after her breast cancer diagnosis three years prior. She stated that she was still experiencing the effects of chemotherapy when she returned for the 2024 Strictly series, which impacted her self-assurance. She expressed that her husband and Gu were determined to prevent cancer from taking away her passion for dancing, as it had already impacted "everything else" in her life.

“There's not many people who will sacrifice themselves to help a loved one like that.”

Amy Dowden

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Celebrity Hunted participation

Dowden and Gu are also appearing in the latest series of Celebrity Hunted, a programme where pairs attempt to evade hunters, which is in aid of Stand Up To Cancer. The series, which begins on 3 August on Channel 4, allowed Dowden to document the realities of living with cancer. She balanced her time on the run with her ongoing medical treatment, permitting cameras to film her receiving chemotherapy injections.

She explained that it was important to show "the reality of cancer" and that a diagnosis often feels like a "life sentence". Dowden hopes the show will encourage conversations about facing cancer. Gu acknowledged that witnessing Dowden undergo treatment during their time on the run was difficult, describing the experience as lacking sleep and good food while constantly being pursued.

Having lost his grandmother and a cousin to cancer, Gu stated he understood Dowden's situation and became a significant source of support. He referred to her as an inspiration, saying she "gave me the faith that I'm going to do this no matter how hard it is." The experience also reinforced their belief in the kindness of strangers, as they encountered members of the public who assisted them, many of whom shared their own challenging journeys.

Gu commented that the experience "humbled" him and highlighted the "huge amount of kindness in people" he encountered.

Future plans

Dowden has confirmed her intention to continue her dancing career following her treatment, with her return to Strictly scheduled for 2026.