Amy Dowden’s father Richard paid an emotional tribute to his ‘vibrant, determined and brave’ daughter as they appeared on Wednesday’s installment of Lorraine.
The professional dancer, 33, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023 which has now subsided, filmed a sweet segment for the ITV morning show ahead of Father’s Day on Sunday.
And during the short clip, Richard said finding out about Amy’s diagnosis is ‘every parent’s nightmare’ as he described reflected on her battle.
After it was revealed Amy will be returning to Strictly Come Dancing this year, Richard shared a sweet message to his daughter.
He said: ‘If I was to describe Amy in three words, it would be vibrant determined and brave because of all that she has been through.’
Amy Dowden’s father Richard paid an emotional tribute to his ‘vibrant, determined and brave’ daughter, 33, as they appeared on Wednesday’s installment of Lorraine
Richard said finding out about Amy’s diagnosis is ‘every parent’s nightmare’ as he described reflected on her battle
Amy said: ‘My dad is on in a million, he devoted his life to us children, inspired up us, pushed us and given up every for us to achieve our dreams and be happy.’
Richard added: ‘From a very young age Amy was always dancing. When I found out Amy was on Strictly, I remember that so well.
‘From dancing around here in the living room as a toddler with her sister and then to national TV. That is my daughter and I’m so proud.’
Amy added: ‘Everyone at Strictly loves my dad as well. They love having him there in the audience and he stands up and gives everyone a standing ovation to absolutely everybody.
‘The shock of hearing Amy’s diagnosis… every parent’s worst nightmare. But I’ve got to say, Amy has faced it with enormous courage.
‘I think the biggest present is them spending time with you.’
Amy said to Richard: ‘What a different a year can make. Last Father’s Day, I just had my mastectomy and you are mum were looking after me and helping me in bed.’
He added: ‘Yeah, but the best present is hearing the news that there is no evidence of cancer. That is absolutely amazing. No money can buy that.’
The professional dancer, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, filmed a sweet segment for the ITV morning show ahead of Father’s Day on Sunday
After it was revealed Amy will be returning to Strictly Come Dancing this year , Richard shared a sweet message to his daughter (both pictured when Amy was little)
He said: ‘If I was to describe Amy in three words, it would be vibrant determined and brave because of all that she has been through… The shock of hearing Amy’s diagnosis… every parent’s worst nightmare. But I’ve got to say, Amy has faced it with enormous courage’
Amy said to Richard: ‘What a different a year can make. Last Father’s Day, I just had my mastectomy and you are mum were looking after me and helping me in bed’ (Amy pictured with her father Richard and mum Gillian)
The BBC has made a documentary following Amy’s and her fight to return to Strictly Come Dancing after her breast cancer diagnosis at 32.
Amy’s world came crashing down when she was diagnosed with cancer the day after she came home from her honeymoon with husband Tom Parkes in 2023.
Following the news her cancer had subsided, fans have hoped the professional dancer would return to Strictly where she worked from 2017 to 2022.
The BBC revealed on Wednesday that six days after Amy’s diagnosis, she made the brave decision to allow their cameras to follow her experiences.
Over 15 months, the upcoming documentary follows Amy as she is thrown into a world of surgery, chemotherapy, fertility treatment, and uncertainty.
Amy said of the documentary: ‘A year ago I was recently married and about to go on honeymoon, it was an exciting new chapter in my life, but finding a lump on my breast changed my life.
‘I never thought at my age I would get cancer and, despite having family members and friends who were cancer survivors, had no idea just what the impact on my life would be.
‘I’ve learnt so much about myself and what a cancer diagnosis means on this journey. I hope others find hope and strength from this film, and that it encourages everyone to check themselves, no matter what age you are.’
The BBC has made a documentary following Amy and her fight to return to Strictly Come Dancing after her breast cancer diagnosis at 32
Following her remission, fans have hoped the professional dancer would return to Strictly where she worked from 2017 to 2022 (pictured in March’s Dare to Dance with Stephen Hart
The upcoming documentary follows Amy from just six days after the diagnosis to 15 months later as she is thrown into a world of surgery, chemotherapy, and fertility treatment
News of the documentary comes after Amy delighted fans by confirming that she will return to Strictly Come Dancing for series 22 in September
Amy foreshadowed the happy news on BBC Breakfast in April, when she emotionally declared: ‘If Strictly will have me back, I’ll be back’
The Strictly star competed as a professional dancer on the BBC reality show from 2017 till 2022 (pictured in 2017)
News of the documentary comes after Amy delighted fans by confirming that she will return to Strictly Come Dancing for series 22 in September.
‘I’m so happy and grateful to be back on @bbcstrictly MY HEART IS SO HAPPY,’ Amy wrote on Instagram. ‘The best team on and off the dance floor.
‘I can’t wait to be back doing what I love most in the world, dancing! Feel blessed and more excited than EVER. Bring it on! Thank you @bbcstrcitly for your support always. Eeeeeekkk #amysback.’
Amy Dowden: Fight of My Life will air on BBC One Wales, BBC One, and iPlayer later this summer.