EXCLUSIVE: Amy Dowden has revealed she’s “getting better and stronger day by day” as she shares an update on her health nine months after being diagnosed with breast cancer

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has issued a health update on her ongoing health battle.

The 33-year-old professional dancer was diagnosed with breast cancer in May last year after finding a lump days before her honeymoon following her wedding to husband Benjamin Jones.

She underwent a mastectomy in July and took 2023 off from Strictly while she underwent treatment. Throughout her diagnosis and treatment, Amy has remained open and honest in a bid to raise awareness and help others.

Amy was diagnosed with cancer days into filming the second series of Dare To Dance, which is set to air next month. Despite being hit with the life-changing news, Amy was determined to coach some more amazing individuals through a spectacular dance routine to surprise their unsuspecting family and friends with.

Throughout the new series, Amy will also call on the help of her dance family among them Strictly Pros Dianne Buswell and Graziano Di Prima and ex Strictly finalist, respected dancer and choreographer Oti Mabuse as they meet some incredible would-be dancers from across Wales.

Speaking to Daily Star and other press, Amy said: “I’m getting better and getting stronger day by day. I am so delighted Dare To Dance is back! When I dance, I feel like I can overcome anything. It’s something I want more people to experience, I really believe it can change your life.

“I was never going to let my diagnosis get in the way of what I love most and I am thrilled that my wonderful dance family could step in to ensure my wonderful students blew their family and friends away with their performance.”

Across the four part series, Amy will meet young woman who gave up dancing when she started to lose her sight and lost her confidence, a firefighter who harbours a secret love of dance, two friends preparing to dance at a big Windrush Day celebration and a Wrexham FC obsessed couple who have brought forward their wedding due to a cancer diagnosis.

Nick Andrews, Senior Head of Commissioning, BBC Cymru Wales said: “It’s terrific to have Dare To Dance back on our screens but grab a hanky, it’s emotional stuff! Amy has drawn together an incredible and brave bunch of people as well as some of her showbiz mates. This is foot-tappingly watchable telly with oodles of drama. It’s both terrifying and joyful and only the remarkable Amy Dowden could have pulled it off.”