Dragons' Den star Sara Davies reveals she helped convince Strictly's Amy Dowden to get chemo amid her battle with breast cancer

Dragons' Den star Sara Davies has revealed she convinced Strictly's Amy Dowden to undergo chemotherapy during her battle with breast cancer.

The businesswoman, 39, appeared on Monday's Loose Women as she chatted about the dancer, 33, who she met when she appeared on the show in 2021.

Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer in May and underwent treatment over the summer. In November, she completed her chemotherapy.

But now Sara has told how Amy was reluctant to have chemotherapy because she feared losing her hair and not being able to dance on the current Strictly series.

Sara explained on the show: 'I was with her when she made the decision, she had had the mastectomy and she thought that was it when they took it out.

'And she immediately thought about chemo' 'I don't want to have it because I don't want to lose my hair, otherwise I won't be able to dance strictly this year'.

'But the doctors told her to do that and I said, 'If the doctors say you have you!'. It's life-changing, you have to embrace it.'

It comes after Amy revealed which fellow professional from the show helped her amid her latest 'nasty' health blow.

She was recently rushed to hospital after experiencing renewed anxiety following her battle with breast cancer.

The star, who completed her chemotherapy treatment a month ago, said she was diagnosed with a blood clot in her lung but is recovering well.

After telling how Strictly's Neil Jones rushed to help her after she needed injections for blood clots following a hospital stay.

She has been taking blood-thinning tablets during her treatment since August, but since the clot in the lung she has switched to stronger injections.

Taking to her Instagram Story on Sunday after attending one of Strictly's live shows in London, she said: 'So a big shout out to Mr Neil Jones who helped me out last night because he's like a real beast.

“I've had so many people message me and say, 'Yeah, they're nasty, aren't they?'

Speaking about her health in general, she added: 'I've got two blood clots in my arm, and now that I've had another blood clot in my lung, I obviously need something stronger.

“So I started with the shots, which I've gotten used to,” she said, before admitting she was “rubbish” about giving herself jabs.

Her sweet message to Neil came just a few months after the 41-year-old showed his support for his Strictly pal.

He said: 'I know for everyone there's going to be people calling and things like that, so especially with Amy I just send her a little message every now and then and just say, 'If you need anything just let us know , we 'are always there for you.'

The Strictly Come Dancing star took to Instagram the previous Thursday to detail her 'nightmare week' after being admitted to hospital with a blood clot.

In a video, Amy told her fans: 'Unfortunately I had another nightmare this week. It seems like it will never end…

'On Monday I was rushed to hospital and on Tuesday I found out I had another blood clot in my lung.

'They were very concerned that the clot would travel to my heart or affect my heart. Fortunately, that is not the case.

'You can see that I often had drops all over my hands. Obviously this is a shock and I'm really upset now because I was on blood thinners anyway because of the blood clots in my arm.

'And now I have a blood clot in my lung, obviously because it's so close to my heart, that's a risk.

'I am now receiving blood-thinning injections, which are unpleasant and really hurt my stomach.

“I'm just really frustrated, a lot of plans this week and it seems like as soon as I get it back, you know something's coming.

'I think we get it in our heads that once we're done with chemo, that's it, but you learn that that's really not the case. Chemo stays in your body for six weeks and I only finished treatment three weeks ago.

“So yeah, I just wanted to give you all a heads up, so I'm home now after a few days in the hospital.”

It came after Amy shared the sad news that she had broken her foot, just days after raising the alarm as she completed her chemotherapy treatment at the end of November.

Amy posted a photo of her foot strapped into a boot as she shared her devastation over the situation in a new post on her Instagram page.

She wrote: 'Not the week I was hoping for since I finished chemo. Port out but unfortunately got a boot due to a broken foot.

“Absolutely gutted and heartbroken as this means plans for me to dance at the Strictly Ballroom this year are no longer possible.

'This is what has kept me going these past few months. 2023 is definitely not my year, roll on 2024 I say!'

She recently dazzled in a striking photo shoot for Women's Health Britain while opening up about her breast cancer diagnosis as the magazine's December cover star.

She was the epitome of confidence in the glamorous spread as she spoke about the life-changing ordeal she has faced since her diagnosis in May.

The star was seen in a series of stunning new images as she posed without her wig – hoping to inspire others in her situation.

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!'

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

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!'

Amy beamed for photos with doctors and nurses at the Sheldon Unit as she rang the traditional end-of-chemo treatment bell to celebrate last month.

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.