Amy Dowden radiates joy as she departs the Strictly Come Dancing studios in a delightful surprise visit during her ongoing battle against breast cancer.

Last updated: October 8, 2023 8:49 am

7 Min Read

Amy Dowden was beaming as she returned to her hotel on Saturday night following her return to Strictly.

The professional dancer, 33, appeared on Strictly Come Dancing to support her co-stars where she confirmed she is halfway through her chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer.

Amy wore a casual ensemble as she left the studios and donned a charcoal denim midaxi dress with a pair of white trainers and a burgundy handbag.

She added a gold metallic headscarf after recently deciding to take control of her cancer journey and shave her head amid her chemotherapy treatment.

Saturday night was Amy’s first TV appearance after shaving her head and her first live appearance on this year’s Strictly.

Smile: Amy Dowden was beaming as she returned to her hotel on Saturday night following her return to Strictly

Ensemble: Amy wore a casual ensemble as she left the studios and donned a charcoal denim midaxi dress with a pair of white trainers and a burgundy handbag

Amy sparkled on the night in a dazzling white gown with elegant long sleeves covered in sequins.

Joined by the contestants and host Claudia Winkleman the crowd cheered Amy’s name as she told them she missed everyone and was looking forward to returning.

Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer in May and is currently unable to compete with a celebrity partner due to her health.

She showed support ahead of movie week with an Instagram throwback from 2019 where she’s posed in her tiger makeup from a samba performance with dance partner Karim Zeroual.

She captioned the snap: ‘I love Movie week on Strictly! Who’s excited?’

Alongside Amy, other dancers and contestants headed back to the hotel looking exhausted after the live show.

Dancer Dianne Buswell grabbed a snack as she returned after wowing with her performance with Bobby Brazier.

Confort is key: Professional dancer Karen Hauers who is partnered with presenter Eddie Kadi, smiled for the cameras as she donned a pair of leggings with a comfortable brown jumper

Food to go: Dancer Dianne Buswell grabbed a snack as she returned after wowing with her performance with Bobby Brazier

Professional dancer Karen Hauers who is partnered with presenter Eddie Kadi, smiled for the cameras as she donned a pair of leggings with a comfortable brown jumper.

Adam Thomas, known for his roles in Emmerdale and Waterloo Road, was rolling his suitcase into the hotel after he and Luba Mushtuk performed a jive dance dressed as Mario and Luigi.

Actress Ellie Leach, had also changed into a comfortable ensemble of cycling shorts and a grey oversized jumper.

Amy’s appearance on Saturday night’s show had come after the revelation that she would cry herself to sleep at night as she watched her hair fall out onto her pillow in her fight against cancer.

The television favourite revealed why she decided to shave her hair off as she told The Mirror: ‘I woke up one morning with quite a lot on the pillow, then I brushed it and quite a lot came out.

‘I was traumatised, crying, I would only brush my hair once a day, but I would dread that brush. My husband would brush it for me so I wouldn’t see.’

‘Then it started going from on top. Ben would hear me crying most nights and come and comfort me. It was upsetting him as well. He hated brushing it.

‘I would dread waking up in the morning, seeing what was on the pillow. It would be in your mouth, a trail being left, it was so distressing. So I saved myself the heartache and took control.’

Rolling through: Adam Thomas, known for his roles in Emmerdale and Waterloo Road, was rolling his suitcase into the hotel after he and Luba Mushtuk performed a jive dance dressed as Mario and Luigi

Sweats: Actress Ellie Leach, had also changed into a comfortable ensemble of cycling shorts and a grey oversized jumper

Hear me roar: Amy shared a throwback snap of herself in her tiger makeup back in 2019 for her samba performance with her partner Karim Zeroual as she reflected on Movie Night

She’s back! Amy left fans in tears as she confirmed she is halfway through her chemotherapy for breast cancer on Saturday

Fan’s of the show shared their thoughts on X, formerly known as Twitter, with one person admitting they had shed a tear at her triumphant return.

They posted: ‘Just burst into tears when Amy Dowden appeared on my screen. Keep fighting!’

Another added: ‘Amy Dowden choosing not to wear a wig on #Strictly tonight has just shown every little girl going through chemo that bald is beautiful. What a role model.’

‘Hands up who loves Amy Dowden? And hands up who cried when she read the T&Cs,’ a third viewer wrote.

Someone else shared: ‘Absolutely fab-u-lous to see the gorgeous Amy Dowden tonight. What an awesome young lady.’