Amy Dowden posts sweet snaps with her Strictly co-stars behind the scenes as she returns for the final amid her breast cancer battle

Amy Dowden posted sweet snaps with her Strictly co-stars behind the scenes as she returned to the show for Saturday’s final amid her breast cancer battle.

The professional dancer, 33, was diagnosed with breast cancer in May, and underwent a mastectomy in July, taking this year off from the show while she underwent treatment.

But she returned to the final and looked to be having a great time as she caught up with all her pals int he dressing rooms amid the show.

She shared snaps with finalist Dianne Buswell, as well as dancers Nancy Xu and Gorka Marquez.

Amy looked stunning in a baby blue dress as she shared the mirror selfie with Gorka and also shared a snap with fellow pro Carlos Gu.

Amy Dowden posted sweet snaps with her Strictly co-stars behind the scenes as she returned to the show for Saturday’s final amid her breast cancer battle (seen with Dianne Buswell)

She shared snaps with finalist Dianne Buswell, as well as dancers Nancy Xu (pictured) and Gorka Marquez

Strictly viewers were moved to tears as Amy made her return to the show’s dance floor during this year’s final on Saturday. 

While she has made appearances on the programme and its spin-off It Takes Two, she had not danced with her fellow professionals before the final.

But on Saturday she took to the dance floor once again, opting to go without a wig having lost her hair following her chemotherapy.

The moment left viewers feeling emotional, with many taking to Twitter to express their joy at seeing her on screen.

One viewer wrote: ‘Tearing up at seeing Amy Dowden dancing in the #StrictlyFinal Let’s have her back on #strictly soon!’

Someone else shared: ‘That Amy Dowden reveal was a MOMENT.’

‘@AmyDowden is dancing!!! Oh my gosh that’s so good to see. Leaky eyes moment,’ shared another viewer.

While someone else posted: ‘OMG #Strictly A minute in and bawling seeing gorgeous #AmyDowden dancing.’

Amy looked stunning in a baby blue dress as she shared the mirror selfie with Gorka as she penned: ‘Who is final ready???’

She also shared a snap with fellow professional dancer Carlos Gu while contestant Zara McDermott was seen in the background

Another show fan commented: ‘Amy Dowden dancing without a wig is the energy everyone needs.’

While someone else shared: ‘Great to see Amy Dowden in the opening routine!!’ 

Amy bowed out of this year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing as she underwent a course of chemotherapy, which she completed in November.

However, earlier this week, the star appeared on ITV’s This Morning where she admitted that her cancer journey is far from over. 

The chemo caused neuropathy, meaning she temporarily lost feeling in her hands and feet, causing her to land on her foot at a strange angle and break her metatarsal.

And just weeks after breaking her foot, Amy was rushed to hospital after suffering another health blow.

The professional dancer was diagnosed with a blood clot on her lung but is now thankfully recovering well with the help of blood thinning injections.

Amy explained: ‘I’m taking every day as it comes. I though once I rang that bell I would be fine but it’s not been like that, I find it mentally a lot tougher now. The journey isn’t over yet.

‘I’ve had what I love the most taken away from me and I just find that so cruel.’ 

As Women’s Health UK’s December cover star, Amy spoke about the life-changing ordeal she has faced since her cancer diagnosis in May.

The dancer insisted: ‘I just want to be treated as normal. When I’m walking outside and I’ve got my headscarf on, I don’t want looks of sympathy or feeling sorry for me – I’m Amy.

‘Sometimes, people don’t know how to address it. Just ask how I am – I will answer you.  We don’t want you to feel sorry for us. We’re embracing it. Stand strong with us…Don’t give me that pity look – I don’t need it!’

Speaking of her husband and former dance partner Ben Jones – who has been there from the start with her Crohn’s diagnosis – she added: ‘Nothing will ever break us now!’

Ellie Leach became the youngest winner of Strictly Come Dancing with her professional dance partner Vito Coppola on Saturday

The 22-year-old TV star beat two other couples – Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell, and Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin.

Strictly viewers were moved to tears as Amy made her return to the show’s dance floor during this year’s final on Saturday 

While she has made appearances on the programme and its spin-off It Takes Two, she had not danced with her fellow professionals before the final

Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer in May, and underwent a mastectomy in July (seen in hospital)

Upon winning the glitterball trophy, the former Coronation Street star said: ‘I actually, genuinely cannot believe this.’

‘For once, you’re crying more than me,’ she told Vito.

She added: ‘This is for you, this is for you.’

Talking about their win, Vito said: ‘I mean this is like the cherry on the cake.’

He turned to Ellie: ‘You have been so amazing, you are Strictly, you represent Strictly. You are finally, you know, the diamond I was talking (about).’

Strictly 2023 Final: The Leaderboard

Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin 

Favourite Dance – Argentine Tango to Tattoo by Loreen -(10+10+10+10) = 40 

Show Dance – Friend Like Me by Ne-Yo – (9+10+10+10) = 39

Judges’ Pick – Quickstep to Puttin’ On The Ritz by Gregory Porter – (10+10+10+10) = 40 

Total: 119 

Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola

Favourite Dance – American Smooth to Ain’t That A Kick In The Head by Robbie Williams – (10+10+10+10) = 40 

Show Dance – Jennifer Lopez Megamix – (9+9+9+9) = 36 

Judges’ Pick – Paso Doble to Insomnia by 2WEI – (9+10+10+10) = 39

Total: 115  

Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell

Favourite Dance – Couple’s Choice to This Woman’s Work by Maxwell – (9+10+10+10) = 39 

Show Dance – La La Land Medley – (9+10+10+10) = 39

Judges’ Pick – Samba to Young Hearts Run Free by Candi Staton – (9+10+10+10) = 39

Total: 117

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