Strictly star Amy Dowden's emotional apology after devastating cancer diagnosis

09 August 2023 , 20:59

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Strictly star Amy Dowden's emotional apology after devastating cancer diagnosis

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has shared a touching message on social media to her father as she undergoes chemotherapy treatment.

The star shared the post on Instagram for her father's birthday as she explained it wasn't quite the celebration she and her family had hoped for. The dancer shared a series of images of herself and her father, including on her wedding day last year to husband Ben Jones.

She wrote: "Happy birthday to the most amazing dad @richard_dowden… I am sorry it is not the birthday planned. Better times ahead and we will have even more to celebrate...Thanks for everything especially these past few weeks and days. Love you @richard_dowden."

Amy paid tribute to her dad Richard with the birthday post (amy_dowden/Instagram)

She apologised as she explained "it's not the birthday planned" (amy_dowden/Instagram)

Amy has undergone her first chemotherapy session as she battles breast cancer following a diagnosis earlier this year in May that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and in June she revealed she had undergone a mastectomy. Doctors later found another type of cancer in the Caerphilly-born dancer, and she described this as a "massive blow" as it meant she would not be able to compete in Strictly this year. Speaking candidly in the live video, Amy revealed doctors found more tumours when she underwent her MRI and mastectomy.

Amy, who married fellow professional dancer Ben Jones in July 2022, previously revealed she had found a lump in her breast the day before she planned to go on her belated honeymoon this year.

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Amy Dowden has kept fans updated as she progresses with chemotherapy treatment

The professional dancer has kept fans updated with her progress since revealing her diagnosis earlier this year. The star is also set to open up on her breast cancer diagnosis in a raw BBC documentary. Amy has been giving fans regular updates on her social media but has decided to let cameras in to film her treatment. She hopes to raise awareness of cancer by giving insight to viewers of the upcoming BBC documentary.

A source told The Sun: "Amy’s breast cancer fight has inspired millions of Strictly fans already, but she wants to do more. She’s been sharing every stage online to try and remind everyone to check their breasts and the film will take it one step further. The result will be a raw but sensitive film as Amy fights back to fitness — and her beloved dance."

If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Breast Cancer Support.

Niamh Spence