Fans have flooded Amy Dowden with support as the first Strictly live show of 2023 gets under way.
The professional dancer was absent from the show as she currently undergoes chemotherapy treatment amid her battle with breast cancer.
Yet the Welsh dragon is still very much part of the Strictly family as fans spotted her in the 2023 titles which introduces all the couples at the start of every show alongside the recognisable theme music.
And fans have now flocked to share their support with the star as they headed to Twitter to send her their well wishes.
One fan wrote: ‘God bless you Amy. you are missed this year . Get well, we want you better and back to your lovely self’.
Love: Strictly Come Dancing fans flooded social media with well-wishes for pro Amy Dowden after she made a surprise appearance in the live show on Saturday
Health update: The professional dancer made a brief cameo in the show’s titles after being unable to take part in the series while undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer
Another commented: ‘Sad that Amy Dowden can’t be on this series of #Strictly – she was always one of my faves and will be again! Good luck to her.’
While Amy attended the National Television Awards with her Strictly co-stars she was unable to attend the launch show episode which aired last week.
And as Amy sent her good luck’s to the Strictly contestants, fans sent their love to the star.
‘She is such a lovely lady with a heart of hold. You can beat this Amy,’ added another viewer.
While a fourth sent ‘Thinking of you #AmyDowden loads of love and prayers xx’.
Yet Amy may be back earlier than we may have thought, after the star shared her hopes of returning to Strictly Come Dancing in a matter of weeks.
The dancer took to Instagram on Saturday to wish her fellow professionals and the celebrity line-up luck for Saturday’s first live show of the 2023 series.
Amy was expected to miss the new series amid her battle with breast cancer, but she has now shared her hopes that she could rejoin the show in just weeks’ time.
Support: Fans have now flocked to share their support with the star as they headed to Twitter to send her their well-wishes
Sharing her official 2023 Strictly snap, Amy told how she ‘can’t wait’ to watch and support all the couples as she sent them a sweet message of good luck.
She wrote: ‘Happy live show day @bbcstrictly wishing the entire team a fabulous show and I know it’s going to be amazing!
‘I’ve been kept up to date with the pros and a few sneaky FaceTimes! Literally can’t wait to watch and support you all. Hopefully I’ll be there in a few weeks.’
Her Strictly co-stars were quick to take to the comments section to send her supportive messages and told how much they will miss her.
Dianne Buswell, who is partnered up with Bobby Brazier, wrote: ‘Thinking of you, we all miss you …… but i already have a smile on my face thinking of this time next year when your gonna be back dancing with us again.’
While Katya Jones, who will dance with Nigel Harman, penned: ‘We gonna miss you sooo much tonight! Will do everything to make you proud.’
And Karen Hauer, who is the pro partner of Eddie Kadi, added: ‘Love you babe.’
Hopes: Amy (pictured in her 2023 official Strictly shot) was expected to miss the new series amid her battle with breast cancer, but she has shared her hopes that she could rejoin the show in just weeks’ time
Sweet: Sharing her 2023 official Strictly snap, Amy told how she ‘can’t wait’ to watch and support all the couples – just hours ahead of the first live show of the 2023 series
Kind words: Her Strictly co-stars were quick to take to the comments section to send her supportive messages and told how much they will miss her
Health: Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier in May and began chemotherapy after doctors discovered another type of cancer in her body
‘Hardest step’: It comes days after Amy shared the emotional moment she shaved her head after losing her hair following her fourth round of chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer
Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier in May and began chemotherapy after doctors discovered another type of cancer in her body, meaning she was unable to be paired with a celebrity for the new series.
It comes days after Amy shared the emotional moment she shaved her head after losing her hair following her fourth round of chemotherapy treatment.
Amy called it ‘the hardest step so far’ as she shared a heartbreaking video of herself surrounded by loved ones as her hair was cut off on Thursday.
She explained how she was ‘taking control’ after feeling like she has had ‘so much taken away from me’ since being diagnosed with breast cancer in May.
With the help of family and friends, who all took turns cutting a lock of Amy’s hair, the dancer tearfully confronted her new look with a smile at the end of the emotional video.
‘This too shall pass,’ she wrote in the caption. ‘Taking control- The hardest step so far. I tried my best to save it. I know it’s only hair but these past few months I’ve had what feels like so much taken away from me that has made me not feel like Amy.’
‘I’m missing every possible aspect of dancing. I just wanted to keep my identity with my hair and I tried telling myself it wouldn’t go. But I would dread the pain of waking up to the shredding everyday.’
She continued: ‘I’ve not been able to take control of this journey so far, but as you can see with some of my loved ones I took the courage and CONTROL.’
‘It’s going to take some time to get use to and learn to love and embrace but, I’m now focusing-not on the hair I’m losing but the hair I’m going to get back and the happy dancing, tea lover who talks way to fast whilst rolling every rrrrr who is still there inside with or without hair!’
She added that she has also reached the halfway point in her chemotherapy treatment, explaining: ‘Since taking control, I feel I can now see the finish line. This for me was a hurdle I couldn’t even bring myself to think or speak about. I’ve done it and I’ve also crossed the half way chemo line!’
‘I’m feeling empowered and positive! To everyone on their own journey, whatever that maybe, I’m sending love, power, strength and courage.
‘I found my courage for this step and I’m proud. (There are some fun before and after vids/reels coming, but I wanted to share the truth and hopefully help others, and bring normality to a beautiful bald head).’
Strictly Come Dancing 2023: Who are the couples?
Nigel Harman and Katya Jones
Bobby Brazier and Diane Buswell
Annabel Croft and Johannes Radebe
Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima
Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice
Angela Rippon and Kai Widdrington
Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Lauren Oakley
Angela Scanlon and Carlos Gu
Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola
Adam Thomas and Luba Mushtuk
Jody Cundy and Jowita Przystał
Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin
Nikita Kanda and Gorka Marquez
Les Dennis and Nancy Xu
Eddie Kadi and Karen Hauer
