Inside Amy Dowden’s health issues: From hospitalisation with chronic condition to cancer diagnosis and shock Strictly collapse

From being hospitalised last weekend to being diagnosed with cancer, Strictly star Amy Dowden has had to deal with several health issues over the years. However, that hasn’t stopped her from overcoming them and powering through.

The 34-year-old pro returned to Strictly this year after being forced to take time out for cancer treatment. However, she’s now been forced to endure another break from the show after reportedly collapsing backstage last weekend (October 26).

Here, as Amy is replaced by Lauren Oakley, we look at the health issues she has been dealing with behind the scenes.

Amy suffers from Crohn’s disease (Credit: YouTube)

Amy Dowden hospitalised after an unexpected Crohn’s flare-up

As many fans of Amy will be aware, she suffers from Crohn’s. However, while competing on Strictly in 2021, a flare-up of the condition led to her being immediately rushed to hospital in an ambulance.

Competing on the show with McFly star Tom Fletcher, she had to unfortunately miss a live show in the middle of the competition.

“Thanks for the all messages over the weekend,” Amy shared on Instagram, adding: “Unfortunately, I was missing from the show as I had an unexpected Crohn’s flare up and hospital admission in which I received unbelievable care.”

She continued: “I’m recovering very well and certainly being well looked after and look forward to returning to the dance floor.”

Amy Dowden diagnosed with breast cancer

In May 2023, Amy was diagnosed with grade three breast cancer at age 32 after discovering a lump in her breast the day before she went on her honeymoon with her husband Benjamin Jones.

Amy underwent a mastectomy that July. However, the cancer had unfortunately spread and she began a course of chemo.

Throughout her cancer journey, the Welsh dancer kept fans up to date with her progress on her Instagram page.

Amy began her treatment at the Sheldon Unit in Birmingham in August. After eight rounds of chemo, she was finally able to ring the traditional end-of-treatment bell in November.

“I’ve cried all morning!” she wrote on Instagram. “Right an afternoon of chemo and then I’m so lucky and grateful to be able to ring that bell! Will never take it for granted! Thank you to the incredible Sheldon Unit! You are all amazing NHS, all true heroes.”

As Amy continues to have check-ups, her most recent resulted in no signs of cancer.

Amy Dowden’s fertility struggles

After being diagnosed with cancer, Amy found out she would no longer be able to have children naturally. While making an appearance on Spencer Matthews’ Big Fish podcast, she opened up about how devastated she was.

“[After hearing] the words: ‘Sorry, Amy, you have cancer,’ what I found harder was in the next sentence,” she said.

Amy continued: “You know, newly married, we’d only been married in July, and this was only in the spring now. And his next sentence was: ‘And what’s your fertility plans because unfortunately you’ve got a hormone-fed cancer? We’re going to have to shut down your hormones.’

“I’m sat there with my husband, and obviously children were on the radar or, you know, plans,” she added. “And that I think was like a double stab to the gut, and what I found probably harder than the words you have cancer.”

Amy froze her eggs so she can have children in the future (Credit: YouTube)

Amy froze her eggs

Fortunately for Amy and her husband Ben, doctors have found a solution for them to have children.

The NHS offers a service that once anyone is diagnosed with cancer can have the chance to have their eggs retrieved and frozen.

“Sometimes your body doesn’t respond, because you’re going through cancer,” Amy revealed. “I had a two-week window. And in that two-week window, we managed. And so we got embryos. Now we’ve got five little Amy and Bens.”

Strictly backstage collapse

Most recently, an ambulance had to be called after Amy suffered a medical emergency behind the scenes on the BBC dance show.

The East of England Ambulance Service said: “We were called just after 9pm on Saturday to attend a medical emergency at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood. An ambulance was sent to the scene. One patient, an adult female, was transported to Barnet Hospital for further care.”

It’s claimed Amy was in “huge distress” and celebrity pro partner JB Gill also had to be comforted.

On Wednesday (October 30), Amy’s mum Gillian shared a statement revealing her daughter was feeling much better.

“We have talked today on the telephone and she is doing well,” Gillian said.

A BBC rep also commented. They said: “Amy is doing much better. She is delighted that Lauren [Oakley] is able to step in for rehearsals and to perform in Saturday’s show for JB Gill’s Couple’s Choice dance. We are all hopeful that Amy will be back to dance with JB next week.”