Dragons’ Den star Sara Davies has revealed she helped convince Strictly’s Amy Dowden to have chemotherapy amid her breast cancer battle.
The businesswoman, 39, appeared on Monday’s Loose Women as she chatted about the dancer, 33, who she met when appearing on the show in 2021.
Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer in May and was undergoing treatment over summer – completing her chemo in November.
But now Sara has told how Amy was reluctant to get chemo as she was scared of losing her hair and not being able to dance on the current Strictly series.
Sara explained on the show: ‘I was with her when she made the decision, she had had the mastectomy and she thought that was it as they had taken it out.
Dragons’ Den star Sara Davies has revealed she helped convince Strictly’s Amy Dowden to have chemotherapy amid her breast cancer battle
The businesswoman, 39, appeared on Monday’s Loose Women as she chatted about the dancer, 33, (seen) who she met when appearing on the show in 2021
‘And straight away she thought of chemo ”I don’t want to have it because I don’t want to lose my hair or I won’t be able to dance this year on strictly’.
‘But the doctors told her she should and I said ”if the doctors are saying you HAVE you!”. It’s life changing you have to embrace it’.
It comes after Amy revealed which fellow professional from the show helped her amid her latest ‘nasty’ health blow.
She was rushed to hospital recently after suffering another scare following her breast cancer battle.
The star, who completed her chemotherapy treatment a month ago, said she was diagnosed with a blood clot on her lung but is recovering well.
After told how Strictly’s Neil Jones rushed to help her after she needed injections for the blood clots following hospitalisation.
She has been on blood thinning tablets since august amid her treatment but since the clot on the lung she has moved onto stronger injections.
Taking to her Instagram Story on Sunday after attending one of the live Strictly shows in London she said: ‘So big shout out to Mr Neil Jones, who helped me last night, because it’s like a proper beasting.
Sara explained on the show: ‘I was with her when she made the decision, she had had the mastectomy and she thought that was it as they had taken it out’
Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer in May and was undergoing treatment over summer – completing her chemo in November (seen with Sara)
Amy bravely battled cancer this year and has kept her followers updated along her journey
‘I’ve had so many people message me and say, ‘Yeah they’re nasty, aren’t they?’
She added of her health in general: ‘I got two blood clots in my arm, and then to have developed another blood clot on my lung, obviously I need something stronger.
‘So I’ve gone onto the injections, which I’m getting used to,’ she said, before confessing that she’s ‘rubbish’ at giving herself the jabs.
Her sweet message to Neil came just a few months after the 41-year-old revealed his support for his Strictly friend.
He said: ‘I know for anybody there’s going to be people calling and all of that so with Amy especially, I just send her a little message every now and again and just say, ‘If you need anything – just let us know, we’re always here for you’.’
Taking to Instagram the Thursday before, the Strictly Come Dancing star detailed her ‘nightmare week’ after being hospitalised with the blood clot.
Speaking to her fans in a video, Amy shared: ‘Unfortunately I’ve had another nightmare this week. Just seems to be never-ending…
‘I was rushed into hospital on Monday and it come to my knowledge on Tuesday that I’ve got another blood clot on my lung.
‘They were really worried that the clot was travelling to my heart or effecting my heart. Lucky enough, it’s not.
‘You can see I’ve had drips everywhere on my hands a lot. Obviously this is a shock and it just means now I’m really gutted because I was on blood thinners anyway from the blood clots in my arm.
‘And now I’ve got a blood clot on my lung, obviously because it’s so close to my heart that’s a risk.
‘I’m now on blood thinning injections which are not nice and are really sore in the stomach.
‘I’ve just been really frustrated, lots of plans this week and it just seems to mean as soon as I get it back you know something comes up.
‘I think we get into our heads that when we finish chemo that’s it, but you learn it really isn’t. Chemo stays in your body for six weeks and I’ve only just finished treatment three weeks ago.
‘So yeah I just wanted to update you all, so I’m home now after a couple days in hospital.’
It came after Amy shared the sad news that she had broken her foot just days after ringing the bell when she completed her chemotherapy treatment at the end of November.
Amy posted a picture of her foot strapped up in a boot as she shared her devastation over the situation in a new post on her Instagram page.
She wrote: ‘Not the week I was hoping for since finishing chemo. Port out but unfortunately gained a boot for a fractured foot.
‘Absolutely gutted and heartbroken as this means the plans for me to dance in the Strictly Ballroom this year are no longer possible.
‘This is what has kept me going the past few months. 2023 is certainly not my year, roll on 2024 I say!’
She recently dazzled in a striking photoshoot for Women’s Health UK while opening up about her breast cancer diagnosis as the magazine’s December cover star.
She was the picture of confidence in the glamorous spread as she spoke about the life-changing ordeal she has faced since her diagnosis in May.
The star featured in a set of stunning new images as she posed without her wig – as she hopes to inspire others who find themselves in her situation.
The dancer added: ‘I just want to be treated as normal. When I’m walking outside and I’ve got my headscarf on, I don’t want looks of sympathy or feeling sorry for me – I’m Amy
‘Sometimes, people don’t know how to address it. Just ask how I am – I will answer you. We don’t want you to feel sorry for us. We’re embracing it. Stand strong with us…Don’t give me that pity look – I don’t need it!’
Amy underwent a mastectomy in July after her initial diagnosis in May.
Speaking of her husband and former dance partner Ben Jones – who has been there from the start with her Crohn’s diagnosis – she added: ‘Nothing will ever break us now!’
Amy beamed for photos with doctors and nurses at the Sheldon Unit as she rang the traditional end of chemo treatment bell to celebrate last month.
The dancer was all smiles as she was surprised by family and friends at the hospital who wore matching pink T-shirts and bought balloons, flowers and cake for her.
The BBC star admitted it was her ‘toughest journey yet’ as she opened up about completing chemotherapy and thanked everyone for their support.
She penned: ‘Still can’t believe I had my last chemo on Thursday. The relief is like no other. But I couldn’t have got through it without these guys.
‘Honestly the Sheldon unit truly are real heroes. Selfless, hardworking, caring team who puts all their patients first and for me always kept me at ease when I would have my melt downs, doubts and worries oh and of course listen to all my stories ( mainly dancing). Will forever be grateful to you all!
Sara met Amy when she competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2021 where she was partnered with Aljaz Skorjanec
Amy revealed she was still in ‘disbelief’ as she opened up about having her final chemotherapy treatment a month ago (pictured with her husband Ben)
It comes after Amy revealed which fellow professional from the show helped her amid her latest ‘nasty’ health blow
‘But also my family and friends. You know who you are. The chemo club, to helping Ben and myself out with anything and everything. My parents for coming to stay and help every session.
‘I loved my surprise of you all being there with T-shirts, balloons, flowers and cake when I rang that chemo bell! THANK YOU!
‘My toughest journey yet but I did it. Honestly so many to thank but it’s so appreciated. All your love and support throughout this stage has been utterly amazing and I’ll never be able to thank you enough.’
Ahead of the big day Amy admitted she had been ‘crying all morning’ as she arrived for her eighth and final round of chemo with her husband Ben.
She later shared a photo of herself and two others who had also completed their chemotherapy treatment.
