Strictly Star Amy Dowden Overcomes Blackouts and Tragic Cancer Diagnosis

Amy Dowden has faced a series of serious health battles while maintaining a public career. The Welsh professional dancer has managed lifelong Crohn’s disease and then endured a devastating cancer journey. She has also coped with early menopause and fertility challenges.

Crohn’s disease and early advocacy

Dowden first revealed her Crohn’s diagnosis publicly in 2019. She made a BBC documentary, Strictly Amy: Crohn’s And Me, about living with the condition.

Symptoms have included fatigue, stomach pain and weight loss. She kept dancing through flare-ups, including during her 2019 Strictly partnership with Tom Fletcher.

Cancer diagnosis and intensive treatment

In May 2023, at age 32, she was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. She underwent a mastectomy and stepped away from Strictly Come Dancing.

In July 2023 she received a further cancer diagnosis that required chemotherapy. Her treatment brought a cascade of complications later that year.

• August 2023: she developed sepsis.
• November 2023: she broke her foot.
• December 2023: she suffered a pulmonary blood clot.

Recovery milestones

She rang the end-of-treatment bell in November and, by February 2024, reported a scan showing no evidence of disease. The results were a significant relief.

Dowden says the aftermath of chemo made it hard to tell when she really felt well again. She has spoken openly about the slow process of rebuilding strength.

Returns to the dancefloor and further setbacks

Dowden returned to Strictly after treatment. She partnered with JB Gill during one series.

In week six she collapsed backstage with a stress fracture in her shin. Lauren Oakley stepped in to replace her.

On another occasion she danced with Thomas Skinner and left the competition in week two. She later admitted she may have returned to performing sooner than her body allowed.

Blackouts and ongoing symptoms

Alongside other effects, Dowden has reported experiencing multiple blackouts at times. She told listeners she was having up to five episodes per day during particularly difficult periods.

She continues to manage residual symptoms while rebuilding stamina for work and family life.

Menopause, fertility preservation and family plans

Medical teams warned that cancer treatment could trigger an early menopause. Chemotherapy and hormone suppression were used because her cancer was hormone-driven.

Before starting treatment, she underwent an egg retrieval to preserve fertility. She and husband Ben Jones have embryos stored.

They hope to try for children when doctors agree it is safe. For now they are taking each day as it comes and exploring options.

Honours and continued campaigning

Last year the King awarded Dowden an MBE at Buckingham Palace. The honour recognised her fundraising and work to raise awareness of inflammatory bowel disease.

She has continued to share her experiences. Her documentaries and interviews aim to educate the public about chronic illness and cancer recovery.

Filmogaz.com will continue to follow her story as she recovers and pursues her ambitions, including family life and further advocacy.