Strictly Come Dancing viewers were moved to tears as Amy Dowden made her return to the show’s dance floor during this year’s final on Saturday.
The professional dancer, 33, was diagnosed with breast cancer in May, and underwent a mastectomy in July, taking this year off from the show while she underwent treatment.
While she has made appearances on the programme and its spin-off It Takes Two, she had not danced with her fellow professionals before the final.
But on Saturday she took to the dance floor once again, opting to go without a wig having lost her hair following her chemotherapy.
The moment left viewers feeling emotional, with many taking to Twitter to express their joy at seeing her on screen.
Strictly Come Dancing viewers were moved to tears as Amy Dowden made her return to the show’s dance floor during this year’s final on Saturday
The professional dancer, 33, was diagnosed with breast cancer in May, and underwent a mastectomy in July, taking this year off from the show while she underwent treatment
One viewer wrote: ‘Tearing up at seeing Amy Dowden dancing in the #StrictlyFinal Let’s have her back on #strictly soon!’
Someone else shared: ‘That Amy Dowden reveal was a MOMENT.’
‘@AmyDowden is dancing!!! Oh my gosh that’s so good to see. Leaky eyes moment,’ shared another viewer.
While someone else posted: ‘OMG #Strictly A minute in and bawling seeing gorgeous #AmyDowden dancing.’
Another show fan commented: ‘Amy Dowden dancing without a wig is the energy everyone needs.’
While someone else shared: ‘Great to see Amy Dowden in the opening routine!!’
Amy bowed out of this year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing as she underwent a course of chemotherapy, which she completed in November.
However, earlier this week, the star appeared on ITV’s This Morning where she admitted that her cancer journey is far from over.
While she has made appearances on the programme and its spin-off It Takes Two , she had not danced with her fellow professionals before the final
The moment left viewers feeling emotional, with many taking to Twitter to express their joy at seeing her on screen
The chemo caused neuropathy, meaning she temporarily lost feeling in her hands and feet, causing her to land on her foot at a strange angle and break her metatarsal.
And just weeks after breaking her foot, Amy was rushed to hospital after suffering another health blow.
The professional dancer was diagnosed with a blood clot on her lung but is now thankfully recovering well with the help of blood thinning injections.
Amy explained: ‘I’m taking every day as it comes. I though once I rang that bell I would be fine but it’s not been like that, I find it mentally a lot tougher now. The journey isn’t over yet.
‘I’ve had what I love the most taken away from me and I just find that so cruel.’
As Women’s Health UK’s December cover star, Amy spoke about the life-changing ordeal she has faced since her cancer diagnosis in May.
The dancer insisted: ‘I just want to be treated as normal. When I’m walking outside and I’ve got my headscarf on, I don’t want looks of sympathy or feeling sorry for me – I’m Amy.
‘Sometimes, people don’t know how to address it. Just ask how I am – I will answer you. We don’t want you to feel sorry for us. We’re embracing it. Stand strong with us…Don’t give me that pity look – I don’t need it!’
Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer in May, and underwent a mastectomy in July
Last month Amy shared the sad news that she had broken her foot just days after ringing the bell when she completed her chemotherapy treatment
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Speaking of her husband and former dance partner Ben Jones – who has been there from the start with her Crohn’s diagnosis – she added: ‘Nothing will ever break us now!’
This year’s final will see Bobby Brazier, Ellie Leach and Layton Williams battle it out for the coveted glitterball.
Each celebrity and their professional dance partners will have to dance three times; their favourite dance from the series, a show dance and judges’ pick.
EastEnders actor Bobby, 20, and Dianne Buswell, 34, are set to dance their Couple’s Choice to This Woman’s Work by Maxwell.
The lyrical dance is a tribute to Bobby’s mother who died in 2007 aged 27 after a short battle with cervical cancer.
Their show dance will be to La La La Land Medley while the judges have asked them to perform their Samba to Young Hearts Run Free by Candi Staton.
As for Ellie, 22, and Vito, 31, they will do their show dance to Jennifer Lopez Megamix, judges’ pick Paso Doble to Insomnia by 2WEI, and their favourite routine which is the American Smooth to Ain’t That A Kick In The Head by Robbie Williams.
Layton, 29, and Nikita, 25, will showdance to Friend Like Me by Ne-Yo, do the judges’ pick which is their Quickstep to Puttin’ On The Ritz by Gregory Porter and perform their favourite dance, the Tango to Tattoo by Loreen.
Strictly Come Dancing 2023 kicked off in September, hosted once again by Tess Daly (right) and Claudia Winkleman (left) (pictured during the final on Saturday)
Strictly Come Dancing 2023 kicked off in September, hosted once again by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman with the return of judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas.
The 15 celebrities taking to the dance floor this year were revealed to be Bobby Brazier, Annabel Croft, Les Dennis, Angela Rippon, Nigel Harman, Zara McDermott, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Amanda Abbington, Ellie Leach, Angela Scanlon, Nikita Kanda, Adam Thomas, Eddie Kadi, Jody Cundy and Layton Williams.
Professional dancers Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Vito Coppola, Graziano Di Prima, Amy Dowden, Carlos Gu, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Márquez, Luba Mushtuk, Lauren Oakley, Giovanni Pernice, Jowita Przystał, Johannes Radebe, Michelle Tsiakkas, Kai Widdrington, and Nancy Xu also returned.
Star Amy Dowden sadly was unable to take part, after being diagnosed with breast cancer earlier in the year, but was able to make several cameos during the series.
Week One saw the couples perform for the first time and saw Nigel topping the leaderboard while Angela received a standing ovation for her Cha-cha-cha.
The first celebrity to be sent home was sadly Les, after he and his partner Nancy ended up at the bottom of the leaderboard with just 15 points.
Week 3 was Movie Week, and saw the couples doing routines inspired by classic films.
Sadly Nikita and Gorka were sent packing by the judges after ending up in the dance-off with Zara and Graziano.
Judges (L-R) Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood returned for this year’s series
The next week was the end of the road for Jody and Jowita after a disappointing Salsa, with all the judges opting to save Eddie and Karen.
But the writing was on the wall for Eddie, as he was then sent home the following week.
That same week, Amanda announced she and partner Giovanni could not perform on the live show due to medical reasons, and went straight through to the next week.
But she then dramatically quit the show, initially citing medical reasons before later revealing personal issues on Instagram.
However, it is thought that the reason for her departure was heated rows between her and Giovanni.
Amanda further sparked speculation of a rift with her dance partner when she failed to mention him in the Instagram post announcing her exit.
Week 6 was Halloween week, and the celebrities each took on a scary character with Zara and Graziano’s journey coming to an end.
Adam and Luba survived the dance off against Zara, but didn’t fare as well against Angela and Kai and went home in Week 7.
Former Coronation Street actress Ellie Leach and professional dancer Vito Coppola made it to this year’s final
Week 8 saw Angela and Kai back in the bottom two, but the judges chose to save them, eliminating Krishnan and Lauren.
The next show was staged in the Tower Ballroom at the Blackpool Tower, thrilling the couples that made it that far.
Ultimately Angela and Kai got the chop after surviving several dance-offs, with the judges choosing Bobby and Dianne.
In week 10, Layton and Nikita were in the bottom two for the first time, after online trolls said he is too experienced at dancing to be on the show.
However, three of the judges chose to save Layton and therefore sent home Angela and Carlos.
The following show marked Musicals Week and the quarter-finals, with the couples doing routines from top musicals.
However, only hours before the live show began, Nigel was forced to withdraw from the competition after suffering an injury.
The couple both appeared on the show where Nigel told how he hurt his rib during a jump in rehearsals.
He said: ‘I was about to be caught by some very handsome men but when I landed, I’ve done something to my rib. I’m a little high on painkillers.’
Asked by host Claudia if he had enjoyed his time on the show, Nigel said: ‘Oh I’ve loved it, I’ve loved it. This hasn’t really sunk in.
‘When I was watching everyone coming down the stairs, it was real that I’m not part of it anymore.’
EastEnders actor Bobby Brazier and his professional dancer Dianne Buswell have proven to be a favourite with fans
Katya was full of praise for Nigel’s hard work on the show and looked emotional at the thought of them no longer getting to perform together.
As a result, there was no elimination for Week 11 and all scores carried over to the following week, with Layton and Nikita scoring the first perfect 40 of the series.
In the semi-final, the last four couples had to perform two dances each, with Bobby and Dianne and Annabel and Johannes ending up in the bottom two.
After the dreaded dance-off, Annabel was sadly sent packing, meaning Bobby, Ellie and Layton became this year’s finalists.
STRICTLY COME DANCING 2023: THE CONTESTANTS’ PROFILES
Layton Williams
Age: 28
Profession: Actor
Layton says: ‘Absolutely buzzing to confirm that I will be taking part in THE most iconic dance competition in the UK! It’s time to bring it to the Ballroom. So excited to learn new skills from the best. Bring on the sequins… ALL the sequins!’
Ellie Leach
Age: 22
Profession: Coronation Street star
Ellie says: ‘It still doesn’t feel real that I’m going to be doing Strictly!! It’s always been a dream of mine so I guess dreams really do come true!!!!’
Bobby Brazier
Age: 20
Profession: EastEnders star and model
Bobby says: ‘I’m so excited to be part of the Strictly line up, I can’t wait to start training like a professional dancer and adding a few moves to my locker. I’m looking forward to performing in-front of everyone.’