Amy Dowden branded ‘most inspirational woman ever’ over heartbreaking cancer documentary

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has been branded the ‘most inspirational woman ever’ by tearful viewers.

The pro dancer, 34, has detailed her excruciating cancer ordeal in a new BBC documentary, which follows her going through treatment for the disease, fertility struggles, sepsis, missing out on Strictly, and losing her hair.

Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer in May last year, and thankfully got the all clear in February.

While she kept fans updated with her diagnosis and treatment on social media, she’s now told more of her story in Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me, which has left fans sobbing.

Featuring interviews with Amy’s husband, parents and friends, and never-seen-before footage of the dancer in hospital, several tearful moments have shown Amy’s strength, with fans calling her in an ‘inspiration’.

She concludes the documentary saying: ‘In the past year I’ve had a mastectomy, fertility treatment, chemotherapy, sepsis, blood clots, a broken foot, and finally, it’s time for me to be able to get back on that dance floor.’

‘Amy Dowden is an inspiration, and just a down to earth human being,’ viewer @AlexPaterson0 wrote on X.

‘Oh my dear Lord, #AmyDowden is such an inspiration, Bless her heart. Am sobbing Xx,’ @SallyPrice4 said.

@Clivewo said: ‘This Amy Dowden story is a tough watch. Gulp. What an incredibly strong & brave woman.’

‘What a women amy dowden is, the most amazing and inspirational women ever. sharing her story, showing how strong she actually is. forever proud of her,’ @joannagoody added.

The documentary sees Amy go through fertility treatment with her husband Ben, after learning that she was going to be put into menopause due to having a hormone-fed cancer and because the chemotherapy would destroy a lot of cells within her body.

She underwent an egg retrieval to give them the chance to try for a baby later in life, and shared her joyful reaction on camera when she discovered it had been successful.

‘There are so many women out there going through treatment, I want them to know they’re not alone,’ Amy says at one point.

Elsewhere in the documentary, Amy makes the difficult decision to stop scalp hypothermia treatment during chemotherapy, to try to prevent and reduce hairloss.

After struggling with the nausea and side-effects of the cool cap, which froze her hair follicles, Amy wept as she decided to stop using it, and made the difficult choice to shave her head after suffering from hair loss.

She also reveals the vile trolling she received, and has been supported by fans after sharing the horrific comments, including being branded a ‘narcissist and an attention seeker’.

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Calling for those involved in online abuse to receive harsher punishments, she says in the documentary: ‘I wish these people realised what they are doing. I wish they could see the effect it does have.

‘It’s like putting a nail in a piece of wood. You take the nail out and the wood is scarred forever. It’s never the same. And making those nasty comments is doing exactly that.

‘I wouldn’t want anyone else to receive the messages I did.’

Viewers rushed to support her, with @BaguetteBoing saying: ‘What a superwoman you are Amy! Ignore the trolls with their sad little lives. I for one cannot wait to see that 1st dance back on Strictly! You are such an inspiration girlie.’

@Millie_si added: ‘Pathetic, cowardly, keyboard warriors. With nothing better to do than be unkind to other people.’

Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023, with the Strictly professional detailing the trials and tribulations of her treatment plan throughout last year.

In February, the dancer – who returns to Strictly this year – announced she had been told there was ‘no evidence of disease’ following months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.

After being forced to miss out on Strictly last year, and making surprise appearances which delighted fans, she’s returned to the pro line-up this year, saying she’s ‘been dreaming of this day’.

Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

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