Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has revealed that she’s been diagnosed with Grade 3 breast cancer.
The 32-year-old professional dancer – who has been a familiar face on the BBC show since 2017 – said it “wasn’t easy to share” the news, but took to social media this morning to reveal her devastating diagnosis to her hundreds of thousands of fans.
The Caerphilly-born TV star insisted that she’s “determined” to be back dancing soon though, despite her diagnosis.
Dowden, who Strictly fans will remember has been partnered on the show with stars including McFly’s Tom Fletcher, EastEnders actor James Bye, comedian Brian Conley, as well as making it all the way to the final and finishing runner-up with TV presenter Karim Zeroual, wrote on Instagram: “Hey all, I’ve got some news which isn’t easy to share.
“I’ve recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, but I’m determined to get back on that dance floor before you know it.”
Fellow Strictly pros, and countless famous names from the entertainment world who have appeared as contestants on the BBC series in the past, have flooded the comments section Dowden’s Instagram post to share their messages support.
Gemma Atkinson, Harry Judd, Clara Amfo, Stacey Dooley, Giovanna Fletcher, Joe Sugg, Alex Jones, and Susan Calman are just some of the former contestants to send their love.
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Well-wishes also came from Strictly stars Gorka Marquez, Oti Mabuse, Karen Hauer, Johannes Radebe, Dianne Buswell, and judge Motsi Mabuse.
Strictly Come Dancing pro Amy Dowden reveals she’s been diagnosed with breast cancer / Credit: BBC
Opening up about her breast cancer diagnosis in an exclusive interview with Hello! magazine, Dowden admitted: “I’ve been through quite a lot in my life and this is another hurdle. But if I’m positive and strong, I’ve got a really good chance of getting back out on the dancefloor as soon as possible.”
Dowden said she found a lump in her right breast back in April, and was told earlier in May that she has Grade Three breast cancer.
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“My doctor explained to me that there are three grades, and three is the most aggressive,” Dowden continued in her interview, “But they feel like they’ve caught mine early and to not be too alarmed because grade three would be expected in somebody of my age.”
She revealed that doctors have since found a second lump, and she is waiting for a full treatment plan – but says it will “definitely include surgery”.
Dowden has also suffered from Crohn’s disease since she was a child, and has spoken publicly about the impact the incurable bowel condition has on her life and her career as a professional dancer, as well as continuously raising awareness of the disease.
A documentary about her experiences of living with the condition aired on the BBC in October 2020, and went on to win a BAFTA Cymru award.
Her diagnosis also comes less than a year since she married her long-term dance partner Ben Jones.
Dowden says she hopes that speaking out about her diagnosis “could end up saving some other people’s lives because they start checking their breasts”.
Featured Image – BBC
TV & Showbiz
Mancs wanted to test their willpower in the wilderness for ‘life-changing’ cash prize in new TV show
Emily Sergeant
Mancs who are willing to put their willpower to the test in a bid to win a ‘life-changing’ cash prize are wanted for a new TV show.
Are you prepared to take on the ultimate test of willpower? Channel 4 is currently casting for the potential next series of the smash-hit show, Tempting Fortune, and is calling on brave people from across Greater Manchester to apply to take part.
Tempting Fortune is described as being a ‘groundbreaking social experiment’.
Filmed in a distant paradise, this epic series full of twists and turns – which ended its gripping second season last Sunday (6 April) – gives a group of regular people the chance to take part in an adventure ‘with a twist’ and earn a ‘substantial cash reward’ at the end of it.
Mancs willing to test their willpower in the wilderness are wanted for a new TV show / Credit: Channel 4
But what stands in the way of that cash prize is the wilderness, and contestants will be tasked with grappling with the elements, the terrain, and their own willpower along the way.
A casting call for the potential upcoming next series of the show on the Channel 4 website reads: “We are casting for fun, diverse individuals from all different backgrounds.
“We are looking for applicants who are excited by the challenge of embarking on a new adventure that will test them both physically and mentally.”
Find out more and apply on the Channel 4 website here.
Featured Image – Channel 4
TV & Showbiz
Fans are literally FLYING to Holmes Chapel to walk in the footsteps of Harry Styles
Daisy Jackson
Now I think we can all agree that Harry Styles is one of the North West’s finest musical exports (even if he has disappeared off the face of the planet since his Love on Tour tour) – but taking a flight just to visit his teenage haunts? It’s a lot.
But that is how dedicated the former One Direction star’s fans are, flocking across oceans to visit his first place of work, his old school, and even the house he used to live in.
Earlier this year, the village of Holmes Chapel in Cheshire released a self-guided Harry Styles tour, highlighting the village’s ‘many connections to Harry’.
They said that already, fans have flocked from all over the world to take on the tour.
The Holmes Chapel Partnership said: “Over the past year Holmes Chapel has seen an increase in visitors coming to pay homage to pop superstar Harry Styles who grew up in the village.
“We created this map as part of our ‘Safe Walking Routes’ project which shows the safest walking route from Holmes Chapel train station to the Viaduct, then continues through the village.”
Landmarks along the route include the Twemlow Viaduct, rumoured to be the site of Harry’s first kiss; the Mandeville’s Bakery where he worked on Saturdays before joining The X Factor; and the Fortune City Restaurant, a local Chinese where he once took Taylor Swift. Which is a sentence and a half…
The bakery in Holmes Chapel where Harry Styles used to work. Credit: Flickr, VagueonthehowThe Twemlow Viaduct, rumoured to be the site of his first kiss. Credit: Unsplash, David GriffithsHighlights of the Harry Styles tour in Holmes Chapel
Most tour journeys start at Holmes Chapel train station – now complete with a new mural of Harry Styles himself – before heading on into the village itself.
One fan recently shared their own journey to Harry’s hometown, which started with a flight (yes, actual air miles went into this day out) to get to Manchester before hopping on a train to Cheshire.
Documenting their tour on TikTok, the fan said they were ‘genuinely shaking’ as their train pulled into the village.
They then visited attractions like the small shop on the platform that sells merch, and has a visitor’s book where you can leave a message for Harry Styles – apparently, his dad comes to collect the books when they’re full.
Once reaching the bakery, they discovered a framed photograph of the One Direction band members – including the late Liam Payne – together eating pies, and wrote: “Nearly sobbed seeing this picture alone.”
Then it was a 25 minute walk across fields to the aforementioned viaduct, where countless fans have doodled messages on the brick in a colourful display.
“Having to say bye was so hard,” they wrote.
Of course, for those of us who live a few minutes from Holmes Chapel, calling this tour a tourist attraction seems a little bizarre.
One person said in the comments: “As someone from manchester, this is crazy. You flew to Holmes Chapel?”
Another asked: “Girl why did you go on a pilgrimage to his home town.”
All I hope is that someone scribbled in the visitor’s book ‘Where TF is new music, Harry!?’
Emily Sergeant -
24th May 2023 
