Strictly fans are delighted that Amy Dowden is back with a bang and her return to the BBC ballroom following her cancer treatment was marked with an emotional moment.
The Welsh dancer, 34, took to the floor with her partner JLS' JB Gill for a stunning waltz which received a moving standing ovation. The audience leapt to their feet to celebrate Amy and JB's elegant performance to 'When I Need You' by Leo Sayer.
"You are back home and this is an epic partnership," remarked head judge Shirley Ballas who offered the pair high praise.
The beaming ballroom pro added: "I'm so happy that I could burst" as she stunned viewers in a beautiful salmon pink billowing gown. Watch the moment in full.
Amy announced that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023 meaning she was unfortunately unable to compete in last year's show.
The brave dancer documented her journey through chemotherapy and a full mastectomy to treat her breast cancer, both via Instagram and with her debut book Dancing in the Rain which quickly became a Sunday Times bestseller.
The star announced in February that "no evidence of disease" was found during a health check meaning she has been able to return to Strictly this year.
The popular pro led a group number in last week's Strictly launch show where she was truly breathtaking in hot pink marking her return to Elstree Studios.
Introducing the number, presenter Tess Daly said: "We are absolutely delighted to have Amy back where she belongs, in the Strictly ballroom."
DISCOVER: Strictly's Amy Dowden stuns in cut-out jumpsuit during lavish getaway to Portugal
The championship dancer said: "I'd like to dedicate this dance to my pink sisters who have supported me through the past year and to all those currently facing cancer."
Amy Dowden's Emotional Strictly Come Dancing Comeback
With Strictly Come Dancing premiering tonight (Saturday 21st September), it was always going to be quite the first episode as we see the contestants take to the dancefloor for the very first time.
Well, it was also a night of major emotions as Strictly professional Amy Dowden returned to the series – and what a return it was.
Taking to the floor with contestant JB Gill, the pair took on the Waltz to When I Need You by Leo Sayer and it was a performance that earned a standing ovation from the audience.
Showing some real promise for the series ahead, the judges were quick to praise JLS group member Gill but also, couldn't waste a second without welcoming Amy back into the Strictly family.
Cutting Craig Revel Horwood off from delivering his typical negative feedback, Motsi Mabuse was quick to bestow the pair with praise and highlight that it's the first week after all. She then said: "Amy, so good to see you dancing again!"
Lead judge Shirley Ballas was beaming as she looked at Amy and said: "Amy, you're home where you belong and I have to say, that choreography was absolutely outstanding."
Turning to Gill, she added: "You Sir, are an absolute diamond and this is going to be an absolute epic partnership."
With feedback so positive, the pair went back to Claudia Winkleman for the scores and reflecting on her own emotions of the night so far, Amy said: "I'm so happy, I could burst."
Amy Dowden's Return: A Triumph Over Adversity
Well, emotions went up to stratospheric heights as the scores were delivered and turned out to be the highest of the night. The pair earned eights from Motsi, Shirley and Anton Du Beke and a seven from Craig, making them top of the leaderboard.
So, it's safe to say that they'll certainly be a pair worth keeping your eye on as the weeks progress.
Of course, Amy's return to the show has been anticipated for some time after the professional dancer took a break from Strictly after having been diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May 2023.
But with doctors declaring "no evidence" of cancer in her body as of February this year, Strictly fans, judges and contestants alike are all overjoyed that she's back on our screens. One fan wrote on X: "I can’t tell you how much it fills my heart to see Amy Dowden back. And I’m so glad she’s with JB."
Another wrote: "How utterly lovely is it to have Amy and her beautiful smile back on our screens?"
Here's to the exciting dance-filled weeks ahead!
Strictly Come Dancing continues every Saturday evening. Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on.
For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Amy Dowden's Message of Support: 'Thank You for All the Support!'
The 34-year-old missed out on having a celebrity dance partner last year amid her treatment for breast cancer.
Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden has thanked those who have supported her since her return to the BBC One dance show.
The popular TV series’ first live show of 2024 saw the Welsh dancer top the judges’ leaderboard after her waltz with JLS member JB Gill.
The 34-year-old from Caerphilly missed out on having a celebrity dance partner last year as she had treatment for breast cancer.
Reflecting on her return, she wrote on Instagram: “Well last night was a pure dream! What a show.
“Absolutely loved watching and supporting everyone! Congratulations to all couples!
“To my superstar @jbgill , you shone and lead me around the floor so beautifully! Thank you!
“Thank you for working so hard and trusting me!
“Can’t wait to get back in the training room tomorrow!
“Thank you so much for all the support!.”
Dowden and Gill received 31 points from the judges for their dance to When I Need You by Leo Sayer.
Last year Dowden found a lump the day before her honeymoon with her husband, professional dancer Ben Jones, and subsequently underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy after her cancer diagnosis.
She was able to perform during the Strictly final in 2023 and said in an Instagram post in February that her latest health check had shown “no evidence of disease”.
Last weekend, during the 20th anniversary series launch show, the professionals performed an emotional dance that signalled Dowden’s return to the show.
Strictly continues next Saturday on BBC One with celebrity contestants including reality star Pete Wicks, Olympian Tom Dean, EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick, Miranda actress Sarah Hadland and Love Island star Tasha Ghouri.
Amy Dowden Talks About Her 'New Normal' After Cancer Treatment
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Amy Dowden says she is getting used to the “new normal” as she continues to make her Strictly Come Dancing return after going through cancer treatment.
The Welsh professional dancer, 34, is partnered with JLS star JB Gill on this season of BBC One’s celebrity competition show, and had her first live dance of the series at the weekend.
When asked if she felt like herself again, Dowden told ITV’s Lorraine on Wednesday: “It’s a new normal, and I’ve got a new upper body because I have a hormone-fed cancer, I’ve been put into menopause.
“And it’s just like accepting, I put weight on, understandably, because I broke my foot, as you remember, there was the (chemotherapy), I put two stone on, but I’ve lost a bit.
“But you know what? It’s just my body, it got me through it. I’m proud. I’m proud of my body.”
Dowden found a lump the day before her honeymoon in 2023 with her husband, the professional dancer Ben Jones.
She subsequently underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy for her breast cancer diagnosis, and skipped last year’s series of the show as a competitor.
The BBC documentary, Strictly Amy: Cancer And Me, saw the dancer speaking about undergoing an egg retrieval to give her and her husband the chance to try for a baby at some point in the future.
A health check showed “no evidence of disease” earlier this year, and during the 20th anniversary series launch show, the professionals performed an emotional dance that signalled Dowden’s return to the show.
Gill said: “Amy’s not letting me go off easy. She’s like the judges are going to expect a lot.”
They topped the judges’ leaderboard with a waltz to When I Need You by singer Leo Sayer.
Strictly continues on Saturday on BBC One.
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