BBC Strictly star Amy Dowden delights viewers as she hosts spin-off gameshow

12 November 2023 , 11:29

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Amy Dowden delighted Strictly Come Dancing fans by presenting extra content for the BBC show this week (Image: instagram.com/amy_dowden)

Fans of Strictly Come Dancing have expressed their delight after cancer-suffering dancer Amy Dowden returned to screens to present a gameshow spin-off of the BBC show.

The 33-year old ballroom and Latin expert was forced to sit out this year's Strictly competition after revealing she had been diagnosed with breast cancer in May and another type of the disease in September. Last month, however, the Welsh beauty surprised her co-stars by appearing backstage with Claudia Winkleman as the pair watched each couple take to the dancefloor.

Now, after completing her course of chemotherapy, Amy has gone one step further in her recovery by hosting a mini-episode of extra Strictly content, titled, "Gamey with Amy". The segment, which was shared on social media on Thursday, sees Amy address viewers: "Hello everyone and welcome to Strictly’s Gamey with Amy, where our couples will compete against each other with three rounds of Strictly-related fun. Ready?"

'Gamey with Amy' sees the Welsh beauty quiz Strictly stars with show trivia (instagram.com/amy_dowden)

Strictly fans hope the gameshow will become a regular feature (instagram.com/amy_dowden)

In the extra content, Amy quizzes each Strictly couple with show trivia with posers including "When did Strictly first air?" and "How many sequins on average are used per series?". Further rounds include a balloon modelling challenge and a face morphing teaser in which the stars have to figure out whose four faces have been fused together.

Expressing their delight at the show, fans took to Instagram to hail Amy's brilliant comeback. "I love that you guys are keeping Amy involved in the series even though she's not well enough to dance," one commented. "I can't wait for her to get better and be back on the dance floor where she belongs."

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Another wrote: "Amy you are so good at this. I wanna see you with your own quiz shows series please." A third declared: "This is one of the highlights of the Strictly extras this year. Love it."

A fourth added: "This made me smile from start to finish." And a fifth said: "Great to see Amy hope everything is going well and we see you on the dancefloor soon."

Amy first revealed she had breast cancer in May (Tom Dymond/REX/Shutterstock for Channel Four)

The 33-year old proudly finished chemotherapy earlier this week (Tom Dymond/REX/Shutterstock for Channel Four)

Saturday (November 11) saw Amy share a positive health update as she opened up about the milestone moment of her cancer journey. The star shared a video of her hugging multiple hospital staff before ringing the bell as she teared up. She said: "I rang the bell and I’m so thankful I got too! My toughest journey yet!

"These past few months I look back and think how did my body get through this both physically and mentally. From the words I’m so sorry Amy, it’s cancer and what’s your fertility plans. To having a mastectomy, two weeks later hormone daily injections for egg retrieval, a little Crohns flare up and then on to chemo plus shutting down my ovaries on the same day which sadly lead to sepsis, blood clots, losing my hair, my eyebrows, lashes (I have a few hanging in there) and three toe nails.

"But also it’s taken away my love of life these past few months and of course my DANCING! It’s been tough. But hopefully has now given me chance of more life which I’m eternally grateful for and I will never take for granted again. I’ll never be the same Amy again but, what I do know is I’m so much stronger than I ever knew and I have made the most amazing friends along the way."

She continued: "I hate looking in the mirror at the moment but I know this is a small price to pay and ‘this too shall pass’. I’m so grateful to the wonderful Sheldon oncology unit and my family and friends who have been there endlessly for Ben and I. We did it! Although my journey isn’t over yet, this day of ringing the chemo bell felt like an endless distance away and at points I thought I’d never make it to. I’m so proud of myself.

"I now await an MRI to determine if I need more surgery but for now I’m celebrating my chemo journey coming to an end. Thank you all for your love and support along the way. My dancing shoes are warming up and I can’t wait to get back in the training room! Now please remember to check yourselves, if you aren’t who is?!"

Alan Johnson