Amy Dowden says Strictly pros "came to the rescue" on new show
Amy Dowden has revealed that fellow Strictly Come Dancing professionals "came to the rescue" on her new show, Dare to Dance.
The series, which airs on BBC One Wales and BBC iPlayer, has recently returned with four all-new episodes, following the dancer as she helps people across Wales live out their dancing dreams.
During an appearance on The One Show on February 26, Amy explained that a few of her Strictly co-stars stepped in to help her throughout the series after her breast cancer diagnosis last year.
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"They came to the rescue 'cause obviously I did get diagnosed with breast cancer whilst we started the series," she said, adding, "I gave them a call."
"It added to it," Amy continued. "It was a lovely surprise for each of the contributors as well. Dianne [Buswell] came along, Graziano [Di Prima], Carlos [Gu], Oti [Mabuse]. It was just brilliant."
The star went on to explain how close the Strictly pros are away from the dance floor: "It's such a family, the Strictly family; it really is, you know. We go to each other for everything."
As well as Strictly stars, the new Dare to Dance episodes will see Amy team up with Welcome to Wrexham's Rob McElhenney to encourage would-be dancers.
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"I am so delighted Dare to Dance is back," Amy said in a statement ahead of the show's return. "When I dance, I feel like I can overcome anything. It's something I want more people to experience. I really believe it can change your life.
"I was never going to let my diagnosis get in the way of what I love most, and I am thrilled that my wonderful dance family could step in to ensure my wonderful students blew their family and friends away with their performance."
After sitting out last year's series of Strictly as she underwent treatment for breast cancer, Amy said that following a recent check, there was "no evidence of disease".
Strictly Come Dancing will return later this year on BBC One, while spin-off Strictly: It Takes Two airs on weeknights on BBC Two. Both shows are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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More information or support about living with breast cancer or treatment is available from organisations, including Macmillan Cancer Support, CoppaFeel!, Cancer Research UK and Stand Up to Cancer.
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