The BBC has made a documentary about Amy Dowden and her struggle to return to Strictly Come Dancing after her breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 32.
Amy’s world came crashing down when she was diagnosed with cancer the day after returning home from her honeymoon with husband Tom Parkes in 2023.
Following news that her cancer had receded, fans hoped the professional dancer would return to Strictly, where she worked from 2017 to 2022.
The BBC revealed on Wednesday that six days after Amy’s diagnosis, Amy made the brave decision to let their cameras follow her experiences.
Over the course of 15 months, the upcoming documentary follows Amy as she enters a world of surgery, chemotherapy, fertility treatments and uncertainty.
The BBC has made a documentary about Amy Dowden, 33, and her struggle to return to Strictly Come Dancing after her breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 32
Following her remission, fans hoped the professional dancer would return to Strictly, where she worked from 2017 to 2022 (pictured in March’s Dare to Dance with Stephen Hart
The upcoming documentary follows Amy from just six days after diagnosis to fifteen months later, as she enters a world of surgery, chemotherapy and fertility treatments.
Amy said of the documentary: “A year ago I had recently gotten married and was about to go on my honeymoon. It was an exciting new chapter in my life, but finding a lump on my breast changed my life.
‘I never thought I would be diagnosed with cancer at my age and despite having relatives and friends who had survived cancer, I had no idea what the impact on my life would be.
“I have learned so much about myself and what a cancer diagnosis means during this journey. I hope others take hope and strength from this film, and that it encourages everyone to examine themselves, no matter your age.”
News of the documentary comes after Amy delighted fans by confirming she will return to Strictly Come Dancing for series 22 in September.
“I’m so happy and grateful to be back on @bbcstrictly. MY HEART IS SO HAPPY,” Amy wrote on Instagram. ‘The best team on and off the dance floor.
‘I can’t wait to get back to doing what I love most in the world: dancing! Feel blessed and more excited than EVER. Bring it on! Thank you @bbcstrcity for your support always. Eeeeeekkk #amysback.”
Amy foreshadowed the happy news on BBC Breakfast in April when she emotionally declared: ‘If Strictly wants me back, I’ll be back. The goal and dream is to be on the dance floor again. “Because I missed it so much.”
Nick Andrews, head of commission for BBC Cymru in Amy’s native Wales, said: ‘The courage and resilience Amy has shown over the years is without doubt.
“To then have the power to allow cameras to follow her deeply personal experience, in the hope that something positive will come from what has been such a difficult experience for her and her family, is nothing short of extraordinary. This film is very inspiring.”
News of the documentary comes after Amy delighted fans by confirming she will return to Strictly Come Dancing for series 22 in September
Amy foreshadowed the happy news on BBC Breakfast in April when she emotionally declared: ‘If Strictly wants me back I’ll be back’
The Strictly star took part in the BBC reality show as a professional dancer from 2017 to 2022 (pictured in 2017)
Paul Islwyn Thomas, CEO of Wildflame Productions, producer of the documentary, said: “We are all so grateful to Amy, her family and friends for allowing Wildflame to be with her during the most challenging time of her life.
“Without Amy’s openness and candor, we couldn’t have made the film we made.
“It has been a huge privilege for our team, led by Jacci Parry, to be with Amy every step of the way and share her inspiring and personal story with a wide audience on the BBC. Amy really is a wonderful lady.”
Amy Dowden: Fight of My Life will air later this summer on BBC One Wales, BBC One and iPlayer.