Amy Dowden Reveals She Initially Turned Down Strictly Come Dancing Opportunity

Welsh dancer Amy Dowden, known for her vibrant performances on Strictly Come Dancing, recently shared that she initially declined the opportunity to join the popular BBC show. The 34-year-old, who was diagnosed with stage-three breast cancer in 2023, first appeared on Strictly in 2017 but was originally offered a spot a year earlier, in 2016.

Amy discussed her journey with Strictly during an appearance on The One Show on August 20, where hosts Alex Jones and Gabby Logan also delved into her upcoming documentary, Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me, and her new autobiography, Dancing in the Rain, told Digital Spy.

When asked about her decision to turn down Strictly initially, Amy explained that “there was a good reason” behind it. “You getting the Strictly job and turning it down…” Alex Jones remarked, to which Amy responded, “I know.”

“I’m the first-ever professional dancer to do that but look, it all worked out in the end,” she continued, hinting that the full story behind her decision can be found in her autobiography. “I should’ve done Strictly in 2016, but I did join in 2017.”

Amy, who made history as the first Welsh professional dancer on the show, has had six celebrity partners since joining Strictly: Brian Conley, Danny John-Jules, Karim Zeroual, JJ Chalmers, Tom Fletcher, and James Bye. Notably, she reached the final in 2019 with Karim Zeroual, though the series was ultimately won by Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse.

As Strictly Come Dancing gears up for its return in a few weeks, Amy will be back on the show after sitting out last year’s series while undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Her new documentary, Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me, is set to air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Monday, August 26, at 8 p.m., offering viewers an intimate look at her battle with the disease and her determination to return to the dance floor.