Strictly’s Amy Dowden says ‘it’s unfortunate’ as she’s forced to pull out of show

Welsh dancer Amy Dowden spoke about her return to Strictly Come Dancing this year as she’s forced to miss the upcoming National Television Awards due to filming

Strictly Come Dancing’s Amy Dowden has revealed she’s been forced to pull out of the National Television Awards despite being nominated.

The Welsh dancer, 35, is making a triumphant return to the Strictly ballroom after a “tough” cancer battle and being replaced by Lauren Oakley last year when she dropped out due to injury while partnered with JB Gill.

During an appearance on ITV’s Lorraine on Wednesday, Amy revealed that though she’s delighted to be appearing on Strictly, scheduling conflicts mean she won’t be present during the NTAs.

“Unfortunately no, the good thing is I’m back on Strictly and we’re recording the launch show,” she explained.

Amy shared her parents and best friend would be there in her place, and would accept the award on her behalf if she were to win.

“My dad will be so emotional,” she said. “I’m so lucky to have them as parents.”

Amy’s documentary about her breast cancer journey, Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me, has been nominated under the Authored Documentary category.

She’s up against Molly-Mae Hague’s Amazon Prime series Behind It All, Boyzone: No Matter What, Freddie Flintoff’s programme detailing his recovery after his horror Top Gear crash and There’s Only One Rob Burrow.

Amy is making her triumphant return to Strictly this year(Image: BBC/Ray Burmiston)

Amy’s BBC programme followed her health battle after her cancer diagnosis, as she bravely shared her experiences undergoing a mastectomy, having chemotherapy, and undergoing fertility treatment.

“This powerfully candid film follows Amy through her toughest journey, as she pushes to return to health and back to the Strictly ballroom,” the synopsis reads.

Talking about her return to Strictly, she went on to say on Lorraine: “I’m really proud of how far I’ve come. Two years ago, I look back now and again and my mouth was covered in ulcers, my hair was falling out, I was quite weak.

“I was gutted not to be able to take part in Strictly and to see how far I’ve come since then.

Lauren Oakley stepped in for Amy Dowden last year and partnered with JB Gill, making it all the way to the final(Image: Getty Images)

“I’ve hope to be able to give others hope who are going through a diagnosis as well.”

Revealing how she feels going back to the ballroom after being forced to drop out last year, she continued: “Strictly was that goal after I heard, ‘sorry Amy, it’s cancer,’ it was ‘Get me back on the dancefloor’, and then I got back and had to pull out.

“I’ve worked on my strength and fitness, worked on myself mentally and physically because cancer diagnoses are tough, and I don’t think there’s enough out there about the reality of after the diagnosis and how long it takes to recover.”

She added: “I was so deluded, I thought, I’ve finished treatment at my surgery and life’s back. Little did I know how long it was going to take.”