Amy is returning to the Strictly dancefloor and says she’s “happier, healthier and stronger than ever”
Amy is now a popular TV personality(Image: Getty Images)
Fan favourite Amy Dowden heads back to the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom this weekend, as the popular BBC competition show returns to our screens on Saturday, September 19. The launch show will feature the Welsh dancer alongside the other Strictly pros, the judges and the celebrity contestants.
Over the years the dancer who hails from Caerphilly, has had a variety of dance partners including JLS’ JB Gill, comedian Brian Conley, McFly’s Tom Fletcher and CBBC presenter Karim Zeroual. Last year she was paired with The Apprentice star Thomas Skinner before they were eliminated in the second week of the competition.
Rumours have swirled about who Amy will be paired with this year, however it won’t officially be confirmed until Saturday’s launch show. She has however expressed online that she is “so grateful, and I’m so, so happy” with her Strictly partner. You can read more here.
Despite gaining recognition for her time on Strictly, Amy has become a popular TV personality and has even appeared on Who Do You Think You Are? and more recently Celebrity Hunted which she won with her friend and fellow pro-dancer Carlos Gu.
So, what is her life like off screen?
Here is everything we know about Amy Dowden’s life away from Strictly, her husband and health. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter
Amy’s health
Amy received a stage three breast cancer diagnosis aged 32 in 2023 and underwent chemotherapy along with two mastectomies, the most recent taking place last November.
The Latin dance champion revealed there was “no evidence of disease” in 2024, describing it as her “biggest accomplishment yet”. Amy recently reflected on her cancer journey, and how she has come so far from her diagnosis.
She posted on August 3: “Three years ago today, I was absolutely petrified walking through the doors of the oncology unit at Good Hope Hospital to begin intense chemotherapy.
“All I wanted was to be where I knew I was supposed to be… dancing with my Strictly family. Fast forward three years, and here I am happier, healthier, and stronger than ever. Not a single day goes by that I take this life for granted.
“I will be forever grateful to the incredible doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers who cared for me and gave me the chance to be here doing what I love.
“Today, I finished another day of fun, sweaty rehearsals with my Strictly family, and my heart is so full. Life is precious. Grab it, embrace it, and live it to the fullest. Sending so much love and strength to anyone who needs it right now.
“Welsh love from one very proud, very happy Amy.”
Amy Dowden’s husband
Amy Dowden is married to fellow professional dancer Ben Jones, whom she first encountered in 2011.
The couple made history in 2016 when they became British National Latin Dance champions, the first all-British pairing to claim the title in over three decades.
Ben proposed to Amy in 2017 at a New Year’s Eve celebration and, following a postponement due to the coronavirus pandemic, they wed on the Gower Peninsula in 2022.
Amy and Ben are supporting others in pursuing their love of dance through their Art in Motion dance school in Dudley, West Midlands.
In an interview with Wales Online in 2024, Amy said: “I’m very lucky to have somebody who supports everything that I put myself forward to.
“[Ben and I] dance professionally a lot together, but actually when we’re home, because we run a business dancing together, then we talk.
“Everything in our life revolves around dancing, whether it’s teaching, talking about it, judging, watching it, reading about it, but dancing together is not something we have a lot of time to do.”
Her husband leads a very private life away from the spotlight, he is not active on any social media, however, can be seen on Amy’s Instagram.
‘I live each day to the fullest’
Amy has openly spoken about how she experienced an early, medically-induced menopause when her chemotherapy commenced.
She spoke about undergoing fertility treatment when reflecting on Instagram.
In June, the Strictly star said: “Three years ago today, I had just recently just my breast removed [sic] and was currently undergoing fertility treatment before starting chemotherapy.
“I was terrified, not only of the treatment itself, but of being thrown into a forced menopause because my cancer is hormone-fed.
“Fast forward exactly three years, and my perspective on life has completely changed. I live each day to the fullest, with so much gratitude for the little things I once took for granted.”
She added: “I know how lucky I am, and I never lose sight of that. Every day is a gift, and I’m determined to make the most of it. Here’s to resilience, hope, and celebrating every milestone.”
She and Ben have revealed they have preserved embryos, though it remains uncertain whether she will be able to medically carry a pregnancy. Speaking to OK about the prospect of starting a family, she said: “Obviously, there is a big, dark cloud over me. Will I become a mother?”.
“I’ve wanted to be a mummy since I was a little girl. I was one of those girls who would always have a little baby Annabelle.
“And I have two gorgeous nephews, who I love to pieces.
“But we will cross that bridge when it comes to it and I will explore every option going.”
She recently marked three years since her initial mastectomy, commemorating the milestone with photographs from a holiday in Ibiza.
You can watch Strictly Come Dancing on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 7.25pm on Saturday, September 19.
