Amy Dowden says she feels ‘angry’ about her devastating breast cancer diagnosis and reveals how her fellow Strictly stars are supporting her: ‘I just think I’ve been dealt a difficult one’

Amy Dowden has said she feels ‘angry’ about her devastating breast cancer diagnosis as she revealed how her fellow Strictly stars are supporting her.

In an interview with Women’s Health Britainthe professional dancer, 32, spoke in detail about the life-changing ordeal she has faced since her diagnosis in May.

The star also featured in a series of stunning new photos in which she posed without her wig – hoping to inspire others in her situation.

Amy, who was also diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at the age of 19 after having symptoms for eight years, revealed her emotions amid a second serious health diagnosis.

She said: ‘I always say, I never asked [for] this will happen to me. I’ve always worked so hard. I’ve always been a good person.

‘I’ve taken good care of myself, I’ve exercised well, I haven’t smoked… I do get angry. I think I have been given a difficult task.

‘I think it will take a while for me to accept it. It took me a long time to accept my Crohn’s disease. Until I can dance again and be my normal self again, I don’t think I’ll accept it.’

The professional dancer has taken a year off from Strictly Come Dancing this year to recover after eight sessions of chemotherapy during the summer.

But despite her absence from the live shows, Amy has remained close with her co-stars as they have gone out of their way to support her.

She continued, “I am the biggest cheerleader of my fellow professionals. I know people say, “Yeah, yeah,” but we’re the best of friends.

‘Honestly, not a day goes by without Dianne [Buswell] check in with me; Carlos [Gu]; Katja [Jones]…the production has done its utmost to make me part of the series.

‘It would have been soul-destroying if I hadn’t had a part in it. And mentally it’s not good for me at all. I don’t know what I would have done, I’ll be honest with you.’

Amy underwent a mastectomy in July after her initial diagnosis in May.

The dancer added: “I just want to be treated like normal. When I walk out and I have my headscarf on, I don’t want any sympathetic looks or pity on me – I’m Amy.

‘Sometimes people don’t know how to handle it. Just ask how I am – I will answer you.

‘We don’t want you to feel sorry for us. We embrace it. Stand strong with us…Don’t look at me so pityingly – I don’t need it!’

Speaking about her husband and former dance partner Ben Jones – who was there from the start with her Crohn’s diagnosis – she added: ‘Nothing will ever break us again!’

It comes after Amy said she ‘missed dancing so much’ as ​​she watched Saturday’s Strictly from the studio audience.

Amy announced earlier this year that she could no longer take part in the show following her chemotherapy treatment.

Although she has not performed, Amy has appeared as a guest on the program several times with her former co-stars.

Earlier this month, Amy revealed she was still in disbelief as she opened up about her latest chemotherapy treatment.

Amy looked forward to photos with the Sheldon Unit doctors and nurses as she rang the traditional end-of-treatment bell in celebration.

The dancer was all smiles as she was surprised by family and friends at the hospital who wore matching pink T-shirts and bought her balloons, flowers and cake.

The BBC star admitted it was her ‘toughest journey yet’ as she opened up about completing chemotherapy and thanked everyone for their support.

She wrote: ‘I still can’t believe I had my last chemo on Thursday. The relief is like no other. But without these guys I wouldn’t have made it.

“Honestly, the Sheldon units are real heroes. Selfless, hardworking, caring team who put all their patients first and always kept me at ease when I had my breakdowns, doubts and worries, oh and of course listened to all my stories (mainly dancing). I will be forever grateful to all of you!

‘But also my family and friends. You know who you are. The chemo club, to help Ben and myself with anything and everything. My parents who came to stay and help with every session.

‘I loved that you were all there with T-shirts, balloons, flowers and cake when I rang that chemo bell! THANK YOU!

‘My toughest journey yet, but I did it. Honestly, a lot to say thank you to, but it is so appreciated. All your love and support during this stage has been beyond amazing and I will never be able to thank you enough.”

Ahead of the big day, Amy admitted she had been “crying all morning” as she arrived for her eighth and final chemo treatment with her husband Ben.

She later shared a photo of herself and two others who had also completed their chemotherapy treatment.

Amy, who was officially diagnosed with the disease in May, discovered a lump in her right breast in April, a day before she and her husband Ben Jones left for a belated honeymoon in the Maldives after their wedding last July.

The full Amy Dowden interview can be read in the December issue of Women’s Health UK, op sell now.