Amy Dowden issues emotional statement after Strictly Come Dancing return

Amy Dowden has thanked fans for their support as she made an epic return to Strictly Come Dancing over the weekend.

The 34-year-old professional Welsh dancer topped the leaderboard on Saturday night after performing her crowd pleasing waltz with celebrity partner, JLS star turned TV presenter JB Gill. The pair scored 31 points from the judges for their dance to When I Need You by Leo Sayer.

Describing being back on the BBC show as a 'pure dream', Amy - who is recovering from breast cancer after her diagnosis last year - wrote on Instagram: 'What a show. Absolutely loved watching and supporting everyone! Congratulations to all couples!

“To my superstar @‌jbgill, you shone and lead me around the floor so beautifully! Thank you! Thank you for working so hard and trusting me! Can’t wait to get back in the training room tomorrow!" She ended the post by telling fans: "Thank you so much for all the support!.” In the hashtags, she added the words 'grateful', 'happy', 'what a night' and 'back home'.

READ MORE: Strictly Come Dancing star suffers devastating blow moments after first live show

Amy missed out on appearing on last year's Strictly so she could undergo life-saving treatment after discovering a lump in her breast the day before her honeymoon with her husband, fellow pro dancer Ben Jones.

Since then, she has had a mastectomy and chemotherapy. She was able to perform during the Strictly final in 2023 and said in an Instagram post in February that her latest health check had shown 'no evidence of disease'. However, she still will require regular checkups for the next five years to officially get the 'all clear'. Though it's only week one of the live shows, fans are already rooting for Amy and JB to win this year's show. One called them the 'perfect pairing' and said 'Can't wait for next week!'

Another wrote: "It was so so good to see you back on the dance floor!! you both smashed it, what a beautiful waltz." A third commented: "Absolutely smashed it. So good to see you back home. Couldn’t be prouder - so buzzing for next week." A fourth said: "You looked absolutely stunning Amy. You and JB are already my winners." "Our Welsh girl is back," a fifth posted, as a sixth added: "You did amazing! Definitely teared up seeing how much support the team had for you - special mention to Dianne who literally screamed at you with pride at the end of the pro’s dance!"

Before the live show, Amy said her return was the 'perfect comeback' and revealed just how much it meant to her and her family that she was able to be back doing what she loved again. "I'm just back in my happy place doing what I love most. I think it's going to be just really lovely, because it's going to be beautiful for my family, because they struggled just as much as I did having to watch me go through it," she told PA news agency.

"Last year's Strictly was a tough watch for them, because it was a reminder of exactly what we were going through. It's going to be one big celebration, this whole series for me."

Strictly continues next Saturday on BBC One with celebrity contestants including reality star Pete Wicks, Olympian Tom Dean, EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick, Miranda actress Sarah Hadland and Love Island star Tasha Ghouri.

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