In a heartfelt conversation on the show Lorraine, Amy Dowden, a professional dancer from Strictly Come Dancing, opened up about her journey toward self-acceptance and body pride.
At 34, Amy spoke candidly about the challenges she faced, especially after her cancer treatment, emphasizing that she has learned to appreciate her body for all it has endured.
“I’m proud of my body,” she shared with host Lorraine Kelly, shedding light on her weight struggles that followed her cancer diagnosis and treatment.
A Journey Through Adversity
Amy’s battle with stage three breast cancer began in May 2023, marking a challenging chapter in her life.
During this period, she underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and fertility treatments, even facing hospitalization due to sepsis.
Despite these hardships, Amy returned to the dancing competition, feeling grateful that her tests now show “no evidence of disease.”
Reflecting on her journey, she remarked, “It’s a new normal,” acknowledging the physical changes she experienced, such as gaining weight after being put into menopause.
However, her resilience shines through as she celebrates her body for getting her through such trying times.
Addressing the Critics
Amy’s journey back to the dance floor hasn’t been without its bumps.
Some fans have voiced their concerns regarding her dance partner, JB Gill, particularly about whether his past as a member of the band JLS gives him an unfair advantage.
During their chat with Lorraine, JB, 37, shared that while his experience has been wonderful, he understands the skepticism.
He clarified that his previous dance experience was mostly limited to jive and that learning ballroom dancing is a whole different ball game for him.
Hard Work Pays Off
JB admitted that while he did some dancing with JLS, it was primarily focused on arm movements, and now he’s tackling new styles like cha cha.
“Everything hurts,” he chuckled, illustrating the intensity of their training.
Amy stood by her partner, drawing a parallel to another former bandmate, Aston Merrygold, who, despite lacking formal dance experience, made a significant impact on the show.
When asked to compare the judging styles of The X Factor’s Simon Cowell and Strictly’s Craig Revel Horwood, JB lightheartedly pointed to Craig as the stricter of the two.
“If I had to choose, I’d say Craig has a higher standard for me,” he said, humorously acknowledging the pressure while also expressing hope that he could impress the judges.
Moving Forward
As Amy and JB navigate this journey together, they both emphasize the hard work they’re putting into their performances.
With Amy’s inspiring attitude toward body positivity and JB’s dedication to mastering ballroom dancing, their partnership on Strictly Come Dancing promises to be both uplifting and exciting for fans.
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