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
Channel 4 to air exclusive new documentary about the disappearance and death of Lancashire teen Jay Slater
Emily Sergeant
An exclusive new documentary taking an inside look at the the disappearance of Jay Slater is coming to Channel 4.
On the morning of 17 June 2024, 19-year-old Jay Slater – an apprentice bricklayer from the Lancashire town of Oswaldtwistle – disappeared on the island of Tenerife in Spain, after attempting to walk 14 hours back to his accommodation when there was no local taxi service available and no bus due for 90 minutes.
From then commenced one of the biggest missing persons cases in recent British history.
As the world’s media were following the story minute by minute last summer, producers at Channel 4 were in the incredibly-unique position where they had access to the Coronial process in Lancashire, and this has led to the exclusive documentary title The Disappearance of Jay Slater.
From Jay’s post-mortem to Jay’s inquest, the team have been with the family every step of the way over the last year, as they try and understand exactly what happened to Jay outside of the public gaze
Jay was ultimately pronounced dead on 15 July 2024 after Spanish police reported the discovery of a body in the vicinity of the area of interest, but before this discovery and eventual announcement, the internet became awash with public discourse, conspiracy theories, and more.
The Disappearance of Jay Slater is described as being ‘the family’s story’.
Channel 4 will air an exclusive new documentary about the disappearance and death of Lancashire teen Jay Slater / Credit: GoFundMe
The documentary is set to follow them as they search for answers about what happened to Jay, witnessing the conspiracy theories raging online and the subsequent horrific abuse they received as a family – which is an hourly onslaught that continues to this day.
These cameras were the only media in the world granted full access to film both Jay’s post-mortem and inside the church at his funeral.
But the broadcaster claims this documentary is not only the story of Jay’s tragedy, it’s also the story of ‘the new world we live in’ where so-called true crime armchair detectives run wild.
“The story of Jay Slater captured the nation last summer with a fervour and intensity fuelled by armchair detectives and internet culture,” commented Channel 4’s Commissioning Editor, Rita Daniels, ahead of the documentary airing.
“We are so glad to be working on a sensitively handled exploration of the family’s experience, and understanding the impact of being in the middle of a social media storm, amplified by grief.
“The film holds a light up to our current society and is exactly the story that is a necessity for Channel 4 to tell.”
Executive Producer Anna Hall added: “It is appalling what has happened to Jay’s family, and we hope this film will help to bring awareness of the real life consequences of online speculation. It is an unmonitored world where fake news runs rife, and this film shows the devastating impact this has had on one grieving family.”
The Disappearance of Jay Slater is expected to air on Channel 4 later this year, but no official dates have been confirmed as of yet, so keep your eyes peeled.
Featured Image – GoFundMe
TV & Showbiz
TikTok star turned pop star Addison Rae announces gig in Manchester
Thomas Melia
Viral TikTok star and now recording artist, Addison Rae, has announced her first-everheadline European tour, where she’ll be paying Manchester a visit, and tickets go on sale this week.
After launching into the music scene back in 2021 with pure pop single, ‘Obsessed’, Addison made her pop star intentions very clear.
Since then, Addison has gone on to work with high-profile artists such as Charli XCX, who appears as a feature on track ‘2 Die 4’ taken from her first EP, ‘AR’.
Addison also contributed to the inescapable phenomenon of last year that was ‘Brat Summer’, appearing on the aforementioned A-list artist’s Brat remix album, on a reworking of the hit ‘Von Dutch’.
With more than 88.5 million followers on TikTok alone and north of 35 million on Instagram, it goes without saying that her legions of ‘Sunraes’ (yes, a real term used by some in the community) will be lining up to get tickets to her UK tour dates.
Now the singer is ready to take the world by storm, confirming a US and European tour following the release of her debut album, simply titled Addison.
This LP, which features standouts like smash single ‘Diet Pepsi’, ‘Aquamarine’ and ‘Fame Is A Gun’, has been met with rave reviews from fans and critics alike.
The fledgling 24-year-old American-born pop star is a big fan of the UK, so much so that one of the singles from this very debut album, ‘Headphones On’, includes a music video dedicated to frozen food retailer Iceland.
See for yourself…
Addison Rae is set to bring ‘The Addison Tour’ – her first on the continent and here in Britain and Ireland – to Manchester Academy on 30 August, with general admission going on sale this Friday, 20 June.
So, if you’re a fan, get ready to grab yours HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
24th May 2023 
