Strictly Come Dancing’s professional dancer Amy Dowden celebrated a significant milestone on the show.

The beloved star made her comeback to compete for the glitterball trophy after her battle with cancer. Reflecting on this poignant moment, Claudia Winkleman commented: “On a personal level, this weekend is quite a big deal for you.”

Amy responded: “Yeah, so last year Movie Weekend was my first appearance on Strictly during my cancer journey when I got to do the terms and conditions.” Visibly emotional, the Welsh dancer cut short her speech when she began to cry. “A year later I’m here dancing with my Strictly family. Yeah, so it was quite… erm.”

Amy looked radiant as she performed on Saturday ( 
Image:
Guy Levy/BBC/PA)

Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer last year ( 
Image:
WireImage)
As she fought back tears, the studio erupted in applause, admiring her courage and resilience. “Very beautifully said, thank you!” Claudia exclaimed, as Amy’s fellow pro dancers gave her a standing ovation, and her dance partner JB Gill embraced her.

The 34-year-old also marked the special milestone on social media, as she shared a snap from movie week from last year, and compared it to a snap from Saturday’s show. “A year ago was my first appearance on strictly 2023 during my cancer treatment where I did terms and conditions for movie week and the first time braving it going bald to the nation,’ she explained.

She shared a poignant post celebrating a significant milestone on social media ( 
Image:
Instagram)

Amy is back on Strictly Come Dancing ( 
Image:
BBC/Ray Burmiston)

“I remember that day so well, so excited to be there yet so far away from that dance floor. A year ago it was a pure imagination to be dancing. I remember the show finishing and breaking down in tears because I was so overwhelmed and so missing that feeling on the floor. Last night was a pure dream dancing and watching everyone with their brilliant movie week routines,” Amy sweetly shared.

She then thanked JB for being the “‘ultimate gentleman” and ensuring her return to Strictly was well worth the wait. “But also sharing the experience with @jbgill who is just the ultimate gentleman, caring, calm, hardworking, super talented and so understanding knowing how every week is such a special milestone for me this year. Thank you partner,” Amy wrote.