Amy Dowden credits Strictly partner for convincing her not to quit dancing

Amy Dowden credits Strictly partner for convincing her not to quit dancingImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Carlos Gu and Amy Dowden are both professionals on Strictly Come DancingByOscar EdwardsBBC WalesPublished5 minutes agoAmy Dowden has credited her best friend and fellow Strictly Come Dancing professional Carlos Gu with convincing her not to "hang up her dancing shoes" following her cancer treatment.The 35-year-old told The Mirror she was at an "ultimate low" after being forced to quit the show in 2024 because of illness.The Welsh dancer said she was able to regain her confidence after receiving some "tough love" and "motivation" from Gu and her husband Ben Jones.Dowden and Gu participate in the latest series of Celebrity Hunted in which pairs go on the run as they are pursued by an elite team of hunters.Strictly's Amy Dowden unsure 'if I'm able to be a mum' after cancerPublished13 December 2025Amy Dowden's family history prompts 'rollercoaster of emotions'Published1 JuneDowden was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago and underwent chemotherapy and a mastectomy.She was still feeling the effects of chemotherapy when she returned to the 2024 Strictly series which left her feeling void of self-confidence."I'd been pulled out of Strictly and I was ready to hang up my dancing shoes," she said."It was only then I really knew how low I was in my life."She said her husband and Gu were determined to make sure that cancer did not take her dancing away as it had done with "everything else"."There's not many people who will sacrifice themselves to help a loved one like that," she added.Dowden has since confirmed her return to the Strictly ballroom for the 2026 series, emphasising her determination to continue her career after her treatment.Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, The King met Dowden at a Buckingham Palace event last ye...