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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
“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
A tribute festival in memory of Mani from The Stone have been announced
Danny Jones
After plenty of talk and rumours ever since his passing, a tribute festival in memory of Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield will honour the late great Stone Roses and Primal Scream bass player later this year.
Despite various organisations and regional residents having observed their own memorial services following his death on 20 November 2025, the city and Greater Manchester as a whole made it clear that they wanted to carry out a more dedicated form of remembrance.
And we couldn’t agree more.
Deciding to remember him in the past best way possible – by celebrating one of his greatest loves and legacies: music – ‘Manichester’ festival will be held this spring.
Hosted in partnership with Madchester.com and simply dubbed as “a tribute to a true Manc legend”, names both new, old and current will be joining the inaugural Manichester lineup.
Organised by the website and iconic Manchester streetwear brand GIOGOI, not to mention being “blessed by Mani’s family” directly, artists playing will range from those who were lucky enough to have played with him or, like us all, were simply left inspired by his unforgettable basslines.
As well as a ‘AAA headliner’ still yet to be confirmed, there are some serious legendary names on here, both local and beyond; at the minute, the roster of acts is looking like this:
Manichester 2026 lineup
Cast
Peter Hook (Joy Division, New Order)
The Kowloons
A “specially assembled core band” featuring Aziz Ibrahim (The Stone Roses), Rowetta, Simone Butler (formerly Primal Scream) and Mick Rossi (Slaughter and The Dogs)
Dave McCabe (The Zutons)
Baz Fratelli (The Fratellis)
Zak Starkey (Mantra of the Cosmos)
Steve White (ex-Oasis drummer)
Jon McClure (Reverend and the Makers)
However, as they have teased in the announcement, “that’s just the start”, and with more names incoming, many are already trying to guess who the headliner could be. Some have even suggested Ian Brown himself might get up on the stage…
As per an official statement, key artwork for the event comes from the one and only and equally influential Stone Roses guitarist, John Squire, whose new designs will feature on flyers, limited-edition physical tickets and other promotional materials.
Manichester will take place on Saturday May 30, doors open 2pm.
Most importantly, all the proceeds from the special one-off in memoriam show will go towards Mani’s and Imelda’s twin boys, Gene and George – and who knows? This could be the start of a brand-new annual festival spawned in the name of a very special Mancunian.
GIOGOI added: “Manchester is the best city in the world, and we do things differently here. This is Manchester showing up. This is Madchester showing love. This is ‘Manichester’.“
Taking place on Saturday, 30 May and held at Diecast on Ducie Street in Manchester city centre from 2pm, it’s sure to be a momentous ocassions with thoughts of Mani and his family looming large in everyone’s minds.
A new documentary about football ultras is coming to a Manchester city centre cinema
Danny Jones
A new documentary about football ultras and the world surrounding the sport’s most avid and sometimes controversial fans is coming to a cinema right here in Manchester.
I mean, obviously – it’s the spiritual home of football, after all.
Seriously though, whether you bit or not, Greater Manchester has, is and always will be a region obsessed with the beautiful game, so what better place to screen such a film?
Covering the often crazy and all-consuming nature of ultra culture, the aptly-titled feature-length doc will be shown here in the city centre next month as part of this year’s Manchester Film Festival.
It was previewed last year, but is now set for theatrical release.
ULTRAS is the work of Swedish filmmaker Ragnhild Ekner, who has travelled all over the world in search of understanding these super passionate footy fans.
Herself a die-hard IFK Göteborg supporter, Ekner looks at it not just artistically but as one of their own; she’s another football-obsessive like so many of us all around the globe, making her an ideal person to get across the lifestyle.
Covering matchgoers and punters from the likes of Argentina and Indonesia to Morocco, Italy and more, she covers a total of eight different countries across four continents.
The director and her producers have put things plain and simple for those curious: “This isn’t a critical review, it’s a tribute.”
As mentioned, it also happens to form part of the wider Manchester Film Festival 2026, which is kicking off this week and ends on 29 March.
You can find out what else is on the MFF programme this month down below.
Just some of the faces on show at this year's @mcrfilmfestival. 🎞️
So, if you’re a football fan, a cinephile, or just fancy going along to learn more, ULTRAS will be showing at the Odeon cinema inside Great Northern Warehouse exclusively on Sunday, 22 March from 5:30pm.
It’s also happening on the same day as the Carabao Cup Final between Man City and Newcastle, so if you’re a Red or just not a blue, it’s a very viable bit of alternative football-based entertainment.
Now, speaking of wider football culture, another fervently followed aspect of the people’s game is fashion, especially on the vintage side of things…
Emily Sergeant -
24th May 2023 
