12 September 2023 , 10:45
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Strictly Come Dancing's Amy Dowden has revealed the emotional torture she faced when deciding whether or not to join the BBC show or continue competing in international champoinships.
The professional dancer, 33, who has danced with pop singer Tom Fletcher and EastEnders star James Bye, said in a recent interview that it was the hardest decision she has ever had to make. According to the professional dancer, giving up the world of competition is similar to an athlete making the decision to make their upcoming Olympic race their last. And she was also on the cusp of a major champoinship at the time, and so to make the decision to pull out, losing sponser's money and ditching her dance parner and husband weighed heavily on her mind.
Amy Down speaks of her heartache over joining Strictly (PA)
Strictly dancers speak about their experiences on the show in this week's Radio TimesSpeaking to Radio Times, ahead of the hugely anticipated launch show this weekend (16 Sep) Amy explained: "It was the hardest decision. To be selfish and take that away from Ben, or lose that massive dream of Strictly Come Dancing?" Recalling the moment she was faced with the dilemma and having to speak to the BBC chiefs , Amy added: "I remember just being in tears with the producers."
However, the Welsh born professional dancer managed to do both in the end as she joined the cast the following year. Last week, Amy made a triumphant return into the spotlight since her cancer diagnosis to attend the National Television Awards.
Amy joined her Strictly family on stage after the show won the Best Talent Show catagory. And after thanking the production team, judges and dancers, Fluer East, who is now the host of the Strictly spin off show It Takes Two, told the audience: "It's extra special because we are joined by the fabulous Amy Dowden on stage who looks absolutely incredible."
Strictly star Amy Dowden diagnosed with breast cancer aged just 32
Dressed in a subtle pink dress, Amy proudly looked the picture of perfection. Despite dealing with the trauma of cancer, Amy also contracted Sepsis following her first round of chemotherapy. She has already undergone a mastectomy and has recently told Hello! magazine that she plans to rejoin the show in some capacity in the next few weeks. She said: "I’ve been on the phone to the 'Strictly' team today.They said they’re getting me some fabulous wigs ready (for any appearances)"
Managing to place Strictly on hold is certainly not a common decision made by the BBC as there are so many dancers vying for the same position. Fellow Strictly star Dianne Buswell added: "A lot of my friends that I was in my dance company with, they’re all so happy for me, but I know they would also love the opportunity to be on a show like this. There are a lot of dancers out there, and to be chosen as one of the 19 professionals – it seriously blows my mind every single day.”
But despite the obvious perks of being on a national TV show week after week, it seems that there are professional dancers who feel as though Strictly stars have sold their soul for five minutes of fame.
Strictly star Johanne Radebe, who partnered with Bake Off's John Whaite said: "There are still people who feel very strongly about winning championships and look down on us. “They say, ‘you guys have given up on the dream’ – of course.” But the dancers can take home up to £50,000 for their work over the course of three months, which does not include the payment they recieve for the Strictly tour.
Carlos Gu first appeared on our screens last year after dancing with EastEnders' Molly Rainford who pays Anna Knight, and he added: "The best part of this job is that a dancer can have exposure on national television. That is not a normal scenario for a dancer to live with. It’s only a small industry. Dancers know dancers. But in this job, we get to show ourselves a lot.”