Strictly's Amy Dowden's heartbreaking phone call with Anton du Beke after cancer diagnosis

Amy Dowden 'grateful' to be back on Strictly

Amy Dowden received a heartfelt phone call from her Strictly Come Dancing co-star Anton du Beke when she confirmed with the world she had breast cancer.

In 2023, Amy was living her dream of being a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing and recently married the love of her life, Ben.

But after discovering a lump in her breast the night before her honeymoon, Amy’s world was torn apart when tests later revealed she had breast cancer at only 32 years old.

Six days after her diagnosis, Amy made the brave decision to allow cameras to follow her experiences whatever may unfold in the coming months.

During the documentary titled, Amy Dowden: Fight of My Life, Amy struggled to hold back the tears as she discussed what she was going to do next.

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Strictly's Amy Dowden finished her chemo last November (Image: BBC)

At the beginning of the documentary, set to hit screens on Monday, Amy played a voice note she received from Strictly judge Anton, who struggled to hold back his emotions during the call.

Anton's call came as Amy discussed her future on Strictly and whether she could still compete amid her diagnosis.

"Anton sent me this yesterday," Amy told her husband Ben and parents before she played it.

In the voice note, Anton said: "Hi, My darling. I just wanted to send you lots of love really. I want to tell you that I love you and I am thinking about you."

Anton's voice broke as he went on: " I hope you er...I know you are going to be great and you're going to do whatever you need to do."

Strictly's Amy Dowden shared her personal cancer journey in her new documentary (Image: BBC)

He concluded: "I am thinking about you, lots of love."

Recalling her first chat with Strictly bosses after her diagnosis, Amy told the cameras she asked them to, "Keep my job," as the dancer broke down in tears.

It wasn't just an operation and chemotherapy that Amy had to deal with because doctors also warned her that chemo would affect her fertility.

Before her chemo started, Amy had a small window to have fertility treatment and would have to undergo another operation to freeze her eggs.

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Anton Du Beke sent Amy Dowden a heartfelt phone message after her cancer diagnosis (Image: BBC)

Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk and other press about why she wanted to share such a personal journey with the world, Amy explained that if she hadn't already filmed a documentary about her Crohn's disease, she may have thought twice about it.

The dancer stated: "I think that's what gave me the courage and confidence to do this one and knowing what that did to raise awareness and helping to break down the stigma and what it did for me as well.

"I guess that's why I did the breast cancer documentary, I am not sure I would have done it if I had not done the Crohn's one before, so that's what gives me the courage.

"Obviously, I am really scared and nervous and I am hoping it raises awareness. I never thought at 32 years old, I would be diagnosed with breast cancer."

She added that she "wouldn't be here right now" if she hadn't known how to check her breasts properly.

Amy Dowden: Fight of My Life airs on Monday at 8pm on BBC One.

Strictly's Amy Dowden's heartbreaking phone call with Anton du Beke after cancer diagnosis

Strictly's Amy Dowden's heartbreaking phone call with Anton du Beke after cancer diagnosis

Strictly's Amy Dowden's heartbreaking phone call with Anton du Beke after cancer diagnosis

Strictly's Amy Dowden's heartbreaking phone call with Anton du Beke after cancer diagnosis

Strictly's Amy Dowden's heartbreaking phone call with Anton du Beke after cancer diagnosis