Amy Dowden, who had to withdraw from Strictly Come Dancing due to a cancer diagnosis, paid a visit to the show’s final episode.
The professional dancer was not going to miss this year’s intense showdown between Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin, Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell, and eventual champions Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola.
Amy stunned spectators by triumphantly returning to the dance floor after completing extensive treatment for breast cancer, which she was diagnosed with in May.
The 33-year-old had a mastectomy and chemotherapy and told followers she felt a’relief like no other’ at the moment.
To the delight of viewers, the 2023 finale began with a group number by all of the show’s professional dancers, with Amy front and centre.
Behind the scenes, the dancer grinned and posed with her cast mates, including Dianne, who was unrecognisable under a brunette wig.
Amy has been a noteworthy friendly face missing from Strictly for the first time since joining the competition in 2017.
Speaking on ITV’s Lorraine, she said: ‘I’m okay, taking every day as it comes but I think I was a bit deluded when I ran the chemo bell.
‘I find it mentally tougher now because I was seeing a doctor every other week, I had a routine. And I honestly thought that once I’d rung the bell I was going to be fine but actually I’ve broken my foot, I’ve had a blood clot on my lung.’
She continued: ‘You’ve got to recover from chemo, I had eight tough rounds of it. Others think I’m fine now but no, the journey is not over.’
She cuddled up to fellow dancer Nancy Xu, who was out for the first time this year with partner Les Dennis, as well as Carlos Gu, with Zara McDermott lurking in the background.
Fans reacted positively to the star’s comeback, showering her with adulation, which she shared with her 642,000 Instagram followers.
Ellie and her boyfriend Vito won the competition with a near-perfect score, as Craig Revel Horwood held back on his 10 despite becoming emotional.
Ellie joyfully pointed to their dazzling prize and proclaimed, ‘This, this is for you!’
Grinning back, Vito replied: ‘This is for you, you have been amazing.’
Source My Celebrity Life.