Strictly star Amy Dowden shares devastating update following cancer treatment

BBC Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has issued an emotional update to her fans on social media. It comes after the professional dancer was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023.

The 34-year-old, who lives in the Black Country, later underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy and recently revealed that she was free of the disease. However, one of her friends made along the way was not so lucky and tragically died, as she explained on Instagram, LeicestershireLive reports.

Amy wrote: "Life is cruel and I truly hate cancer! A beautiful soul, Hannah, I met during treatment. Our appointments always aligned and we'd have a good natter and put the world to rights.

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"Spoke about Hannah actually on Loose Women which she immediately messaged me to say thank you and loved. Hannah like me had breast cancer. We spoke so much about our lives after cancer and I remember when I saw her during my trek (had to come back for injection) she told me she wanted to join me on one next year to give back.

"I was six months ahead of her so she would always be asking me questions and she was just the most genuine, dedicated mother and soul. I've just received a message from Hannah's friend to tell me Hannah passed last Tuesday."

Amy added: "This has knocked me but also knowing she's left two beautiful twin girls behind who already have lost their dad to this awful disease. You will live on through them Hannah."

Amy revealed that a GoFundMe page has been established in Hannah's memory, with the aim of organising something special for her "beautiful twin girls". She expressed her grief and anger over the news, stating: "The news has hit me quite hard. I'm gutted and angry. RIP beautiful Hannah. What a woman!"

The devastating news comes after Amy returned to hospital for preventative treatment. She posted on social media: "And we are back for the first one of 2025 at the Sheldon Oncology Unit. Don't enjoy these... but if they keep that cancer away it's worth it! Plus always lovely to catch up with the unit."