Strictly followers left in tears as Amy Dowden RETURNS to the present after being pressured to give up the competitors which she stated was ‘the very best rehab’ following most cancers battle

On Nov 23, 2024

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Published: 19:36, 23 November 2024 | Updated: 19:47, 23 November 2024

Strictly Come Dancing fans were left emotional as Amy Dowden on Saturday’s show, weeks after she was forced to quit the competition following a foot injury.

Eagle-eyed viewers spotted the Welsh pro, 34, in the Clauditorium as she supported the other couples, including former partner JB Gill and her replacement Lauren Oakley.

Amy looked sensational in a sparkly pink fringed dress as she stood close to pal and fellow dancer Carol Gu, 31, who supportively wrapped his arm around her waist.

Taking to X fans gushed: ‘AMY DOWDEN’S THERE’: ‘AMY”S THERE’: ‘Nice to see Amy back this week’: ‘I’m absolutely delighted to see Amy back on the show’: ‘Amy bopping to Rock DJ in the background, I love her’: ‘Oh Amy is back’.

Last week Amy revealed in an emotional statement that she’s determined to ‘keep pushing’ on as she continues to recover from her injury.

Strictly Come Dancing fans were left emotional as Amy Dowden on Saturday’s show, weeks after she was forced to quit the competition following a foot injury

Eagle-eyed viewers spotted the Welsh pro, 34, in the Clauditorium as she supported the other couples, including former partner JB Gill and her replacement Lauren Oakley (pictured with fellow dancer Carlos Gu)

After undergoing treatment for stage 3 breast cancer last year, Amy was unable to participate in the show as she recovered from chemotherapy.

Revealing that she’s now focused on her recovery, Amy said in her statement: ‘One year on and I’m determined to keep pushing this next year!’

‘Thank you to everyone who messaged this past week, it truly means everything! I’d be lying if I said I’m ok, but I know I will be and I’m lucky to have so many loved ones around me! 2025 sounds like an even better year ay.’

Since stepping back from the 20th-anniversary series, Amy has been focusing on her recovery and previously mentioned that her doctors are optimistic she will be able to dance again by December.

Now, she has given fans a glimpse of her rest and recovery process in a series of Instagram stories. The star could be seen engaging in various exercises at a gym as she focused on her healing journey.

In one video, she’s seen beaming at the camera while working out on an exercise bike. ‘Thank you @physios2u And @xfmerryhill for your amazing space allowing us to help and lush with my recovery,’ she penned alongside the post.

In another clip, Amy is seen lifting a kettlebell as she shares her aspirations for the future.

She captioned the footage: ‘Some of todays exercises! I’m determined! Don’t get bitter get better! Those dreams certainly aren’t fading away and I’ll always continue to work hard to be the best version of myself.’

The heartfelt post comes after Amy struggled to contain her emotions as she admitted she is ‘heartbroken’ to have had to pull out of the show and feels she has let her partner JB down.

Appearing on Lorraine last week, the Welsh dancer fought back tears as she confessed: ‘I am heartbroken I will do my best not to cry. I am gutted it has ended this way I feel I have let JB down.’

Revealing the poignant reason she really wanted to perform last weekend, Amy explained that Saturday marked a year to the day that she rang the bell after completing her chemotherapy treatment.

She told Lorraine: ‘Saturday 9 November marks a year since I rang the chemotherapy bell. We were going to do a carnival dance and it was going to be amazing.’

She added: ‘Saturday is going to be tough because I really wanted to be dancing on that floor and showing myself how far I had come in one year.

‘When I got my diagnosis that was my goal and that was my dream to get back on the dancefloor.’

Amy has had to withdraw from the competition due to an insufficiency fracture on her foot, an injury which is unrelated to the foot she broke earlier this year.

After being advised to spend a couple of weeks resting with no impact, she assured viewers at the time: ‘I am feeling good, I am hoping to dance by the end of the series. I am determined.’

‘I have had a lot of setbacks in my life and I just tell myself don’t get bitter get better. This will pass but I am heartbroken right now.’

‘I’ve got to remember the glitterball for me was there being no sign of disease and getting back on the dancefloor.’