Amy Dowden has revealed the emotional toll she experienced while participating in Strictly Come Dancing 2024,
admitting that she spent many nights in tears at the home of her best friend and fellow professional dancer, Carlos Gu.
The dancer, who returned to the BBC One competition after undergoing breast cancer treatment,
shared that she struggled with self-confidence due to the physical changes she faced following her recovery.
The beloved Strictly pro made a triumphant return to the ballroom last year after taking time off to focus on her health.
Despite her radiant smile and energetic performances on screen, Dowden recently opened up on Loose Women about the personal battles she faced behind the scenes.
She explained that the recovery process after surgery left her questioning her abilities as a dancer and struggling to accept her new reality.
Carlos Gu’s Support Through Tough Times
Appearing on the daytime talk show alongside Carlos Gu, Dowden spoke candidly about the unwavering support he provided throughout her journey. Their friendship, which has grown significantly since Gu joined Strictly, became even stronger as he stood by her during her most challenging moments.
Speaking about her experience on the Strictly live tour, Dowden expressed her pride in completing multiple shows each week, despite initial fears about whether her body could endure the intense schedule. She explained, “I was so proud of myself for being able to do 10 shows a week because I wasn’t sure my body was ever going to be capable of it. Every day after chemo, you start feeling stronger and better, but it wasn’t really until December that I felt like my energy and strength had truly returned.”
However, she admitted that behind her confident appearance, she was struggling. “I might have looked confident, but inside, I wasn’t. I spent most nights during Strictly crying at Carlos’ house, telling him, ‘My body feels different, my dancing isn’t as good, I don’t look or feel the same.’ But now, I finally feel like myself again, and I’m incredibly proud of how far I’ve come.”
Coping with Injury and Stepping Away from the Competition
Unfortunately, Dowden’s return to Strictly was cut short due to an injury that forced her to leave the competition. She had been paired with JB Gill and was confident that he had the potential to make it to the final. However, after sustaining an injury, she had to step back, with fellow pro dancer Lauren Oakley taking over as Gill’s partner.
Recalling her heartbreak over leaving the competition early, Dowden said, “I was absolutely devastated. Since the moment I heard the words ‘you have cancer,’ my goal was to get back on the Strictly dance floor. I achieved that goal, I was given an amazing partner in JB, and I knew he could go all the way to the final. To have that taken away from me again was crushing. I spent several nights at Carlos’ house crying. But rather than letting it make me bitter, I decided to use it to make me better.”
Despite the disappointment, Dowden said she was thrilled to see Gill succeed and that she has learned to be patient with her recovery. “I am determined that cancer and Crohn’s disease will not define me or take away my passions and talents.”
A Friendship Like Family
Dowden also reflected on her deep bond with Carlos Gu, describing him as a member of her family. She recalled an emotional moment during her cancer treatment when she decided to shave her hair. Gu had wanted to do the same in solidarity, but she encouraged him not to because he had just been partnered with Angela Scanlon for Strictly.
“Carlos has been there for me and my family through everything. He’s been on holiday with us, and my mum and dad treat him like their own. He even calls them ‘Mama and Papa,’” she shared. Gu, in response, confirmed their close relationship, adding, “I have such a deep and sentimental bond with Amy and her family. I love them dearly.”
Dreams of Motherhood and Future Plans
Aside from her career and health journey, Dowden also opened up about her hopes of becoming a mother in the future. Due to her hormone-fed cancer, she has been put into early menopause, making pregnancy currently unsafe for her. However, she remains hopeful.
“At the moment, it would be too soon. My doctors have advised me that it would be too dangerous for me to consider pregnancy right now. But I have always wanted to be a mum. It’s been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. We have five embryos stored, and I hope that one day, when it’s safe for me, I will have the privilege and honor of becoming a mother.”
Dowden also shared her excitement about attending her upcoming investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace, where she will receive an MBE for her breast cancer awareness and advocacy efforts. “It’s such an incredible honor, and I’m truly grateful for the support I’ve received from so many people.”
As she continues her journey, Dowden remains a beacon of hope and inspiration for many, proving that resilience and determination can lead to triumph even in the face of adversity.
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