Amy Dowden shares heartwarming message as Strictly return confirmed

Virgin Radio

11 Jun 2024, 07:17

Strictly Come Dancing has announced the presenters, judges and professional dancers for its 20th anniversary series, and the hit show has confirmed that Amy Dowden will return.

The Welsh dancer was forced to miss last year’s series after being diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May 2023. She had what she hoped was her final chemo treatment in November, and she subsequently made an brief appearance in the final.

Now, she’s back as a regular professional for the next series, and has taken to Instagram to celebrate her return.

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The dancing star wrote: “I’m so happy and grateful to be back on @bbcstrictly 💖🎀🙏 MY HEART IS SO HAPPY.”

She continued: The best team on and off the dance floor. I can’t wait to be back doing what I love most in the world, dancing! Feel blessed and more excited than EVER. Bring it on! Thank you @bbcstrictly for your support always 🙏💖🙏🪩💃🏼🕺. Eeeeeekkk #amysback #strictlycomedancing #letsdothis #excited #cantwait #myheartissohappy”

Friends and fans were quick to congratulate Amy, with former contestant Stacey Dooley commenting: “SHE’S BACK!”

Fellow pro Vito Coppola wrote: “Beautiful Amy we are so happy to have you back. We have missed you,” and Dianne Buswell added: “❤️ So happy to have you wear you belong ❤️”

Be ready because I am going to lift you very high 😝🙌 We love you and I am sure I can speak for all us when I say that it was not same without you. Let’s gooooo and let’s start danciiiiing 😎🎉”

Giovanna Fletcher commented: “Whoooooooooop!!!!!! So happy for your return to the dance floor! Xxxxxx”

Amy will be joined on the dance floor by Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola.

The announcement seems to confirm that Giovanni Pernice - who was reported to have quit after facing scrutiny for his reportedly harsh behaviour during training - will not be back to perform this year.

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will be back to host the show when it returns in the Autumn, while Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel-Horwood and Anton Du Beke will be judging the dances.

Keep dancing!

Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.