Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has revealed that she almost gave up dancing after battling breast cancer when she appeared on ITV's Lorraine on Thursday.
Joined by fellow professional Carlos Gu, the two Strictly dancers appeared on the show on Thursday morning to discuss their new dance project, Amy & Carlos: Reborn, as well as who they would tip to take on the much-coveted role of Strictly hosts following the departure of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
Amy Dowden almost gave up dancing
Amy, who also lives with Crohn's disease, first announced her cancer diagnosis in May 2023 and was unable to compete in that year's series of Strictly.
Speaking exclusively to Best Quality Designer Handbag about her diagnosis in 2023, Amy said: "You just don't ever think it's going to happen to you. I hadn't thought it was possible to get breast cancer at my age. My mum has had breast cancer, but she had it at a later age, in her 50s.
"While she returned to the show in 2024, dancing with JLS singer JB Gill, she was forced to withdraw after injuring her foot and falling ill backstage.
On Thursday, Lorraine checked in on Amy's health following her second mastectomy at the end of 2025. "I've healed so well," Amy said with a smile. "I've been back in the gym, doing loads of Pilates, and back lifting weights, bench pressing, you name it."
"I am determined to get back stronger and fitter than ever. I really don't want it to define me or stop me. I really lost my confidence in 2023 and 2024. I was ready to give up dancing in 2024. The tour was our saviour, my saviour."
Amy went on to explain how Carlos encouraged her back into the studio, adding that he had even agreed she could have walked away from dancing if she had stayed as she was.
© Steve Ullathorne"You said to me, 'Don't let cancer take away your dancing,'" she recalled, before Carlos added: "And look where you are now!"
While going on tour helped restore her confidence, Amy admitted the emotional impact of her illness took longer to process.
"If I'm really honest, at the beginning of 2024, and that year actually, I don't think I ever really processed it. I just thought getting back on the dancefloor would fix everything but… that whole year I don't think I really processed what had happened the year before, and it really hit me."
She added that while she mentally needed to return to dancing, it also opened up a whole can of worms that she then had to confront.
Amy and Carlos give their verdict on the Tess and Claudia's replacement
Conversation soon turned to the future of the beloved BBC dancing show, and Lorraine couldn't resist asking who the pros would like to see replace Tess and Claudia.
© CREDIT LINE:BBC/Guy LevyAmy revealed that Carlos is hoping Hollywood star Hugh Jackman might step into the role. "He's the Greatest Showman!" Lorraine joked, before both dancers declared Lorraine herself would be an excellent choice.
"Oh, I couldn't possibly," Lorraine laughed in mock embarrassment.
