Amy Dowden has shared an emotional update after returning to the hospital just hours following her triumphant reappearance on Strictly Come Dancing’s Blackpool special, explaining that while her ongoing treatment is far from easy, she is determined to “do it” to protect her health and get back to dancing. Her latest posts underline both the seriousness of her medical journey and her unwavering commitment to life, work and the fans who have supported her since her breast cancer diagnosis in 2023.
Blackpool returns after surgery
Amy Dowden made a much‑anticipated return to Strictly Come Dancing in Blackpool, marking one of her first high‑profile public appearances since undergoing a second mastectomy in November 2025. The 35‑year‑old professional dancer, partnered earlier in the 2025 series with Thomas Skinner, had stepped away from competing after her latest surgery but travelled to the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom to cheer on her colleagues and reconnect with the Strictly audience.
Arriving in Blackpool, Amy Dowden was photographed looking radiant and upbeat in a chic black outfit, enjoying dinner with her husband Ben Jones and fellow professional dancer Carlos Gu before the live show. On social media, she described being back in the Strictly environment as “incredible” and admitted she was desperate to dance again, though she acknowledged that patience and recovery must come first.
“I do it” candid hospital update
Just hours after the glitter and excitement of Blackpool, Amy Dowden revealed she was back in hospital, sharing a video from a treatment room that showed her receiving an injection and further care related to her ongoing cancer journey. In a voiceover that resonated with many followers, she reflected on the reality of treatment, saying that it is not simple and not something she enjoys, but that she still chooses to “do it” because it is necessary for her health and future.
She used the update to balance honesty about the physical and emotional toll of repeated procedures with a message of resilience, emphasising that treatment days are tough but manageable with determination and support. Fans flooded her comments with encouragement and admiration, praising her courage in sharing vulnerable moments and turning her platform into a source of strength for others facing illness.
Long battle with breast cancer
Amy’s latest hospital visit sits within a lengthy and demanding medical journey that began when she discovered a lump in her breast in April 2023, shortly after her honeymoon with Ben Jones. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023 and soon underwent a single mastectomy followed by months of chemotherapy, which forced her to miss having a celebrity partner on Strictly that year.
Throughout 2023 and 2024, Amy Dowden has been open about additional complications, including sepsis and the need for fertility preservation measures, turning her personal struggle into a way to raise awareness about early detection and treatment options. In February 2024, she shared the hopeful news that there was “no evidence of disease” at her latest check, but ongoing monitoring and medical advice later led to the decision for a second mastectomy in late 2025.
Second mastectomy and latest recovery
In early November 2025, Amy Dowden announced that she would undergo another mastectomy, stressing that this surgery was not to treat a new cancer diagnosis but was recommended after consultation with her medical team. She explained that she wanted to remain fully transparent with followers and that doctors were optimistic she could expect a straightforward recovery and eventually return to her Strictly family.
Two weeks after the second operation, Amy Dowden told fans she was starting to feel more like herself, with her energy returning, tenderness easing and bruising fading, though she made clear she was “taking it slow” and listening carefully to her body. She also spoke about looking forward to physiotherapy to improve mobility, underlining that rehabilitation is a gradual process and that she is committed to doing everything possible to regain strength.
Strictly career amid health challenges
Despite her health battles, Amy has continued to remain closely tied to Strictly Come Dancing, returning to the show as soon as she has been medically able. After her initial treatment, she made a comeback to the dancefloor in 2024 alongside former JLS star JB Gill, though a stress fracture to her shin forced her to withdraw that season.
In the 2025 series, she returned again, partnering with The Apprentice star and social media personality Thomas Skinner before they were eliminated early in the competition. Even after surgery cut her series short, she has remained a visible and supportive member of the Strictly family, appearing in episodes, backing fellow professionals and celebrities, and using the platform to promote awareness of breast cancer and Crohn’s disease, which she also lives with.
Impact, awareness and public response
Amy’s decision to document her cancer journey online, including hospital visits, recovery milestones and difficult days, has turned her into a prominent campaigner for early breast cancer detection and for understanding life with chronic illness. Her openness about both breast cancer and Crohn’s disease has been highlighted in BBC documentaries and public appearances, and in 2024, she was made an MBE for her services to fundraising and awareness around inflammatory bowel disease.
The reaction to her latest “I do it” hospital update reflects the strong bond she has built with viewers, with fans and colleagues sending messages of love and admiration and describing her as an inspiration. Through every phase of diagnosis, treatment, surgery and rehab, Amy continues to balance vulnerability and hope, focusing on the long‑term goal of returning to full health, stepping back onto the Strictly dancefloor and enjoying everyday life with her loved ones.
