Strictly fans break down in tears as they rave about Amy Dowden's astonishing dance performance as she returns to the BBC show following breast cancer battle

Strictly Come Dancing fans became emotional on Saturday as Amy Dowden marked her return to the BBC show with a triumphant performance.

The pro dancer, 34, seemed as if she never left the stage – making a glorious comeback in the ballroom after her brave battle with breast cancer.

A segment of the new episode of the hit dancing show was dedicated to Amy’s own performance, where she was accompanied by a slew of talented dancers.

Amy – who is now cancer free – was a vision in a dazzling fuchsia ballroom gown with feather-trim embellishments, twirling around as she displayed her incredible moves.

Strictly fans have been eagerly waiting the star’s return, and didn’t hesitate racing to X – formerly Twitter – to share their excitement, with many saying were left ‘crying’ and ‘in happy tears’ over the emotional bit, penning:

Strictly Come Dancing fans couldn’t contain their emotions on Saturday as Amy Dowden marked her return with a triumphant dancing performance

The pro dancer, 34, seemed as if she never left the stage – making a glorious comeback in the ballroom after her brave battle with breast cancer

‘I’m literally in happy tears over amy ’s dance like have i turned 40 overnight? #Strictly’;

‘SEEING AMY BACK IS EVERYTHING #strictly’;

‘So fantastic to see Amy Dowden back #StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly’;

‘THATS MY GIRL! What an inspiration Amy is! #Strictly’;

‘Seeing Amy back on the dance floor is so special immediately said “why am I about to cry?” AMY DOWDEN WE LOVE YOU #strictly’;

‘So nice seeing Amy where she belongs #Strictly’;

‘Lovely to see Amy Dowden back where she belongs on the dance floor & looking so happy & healthy #Strictly’;

‘The mere sight of Amy was enough to induce a cry, I’m so happy she’s back. #Strictly #scd’;

‘It’s so lovely to see Amy Dowden back on the strictly dance floor she has been through hell and back and her family and friends must be so proud she has fought back and returned to good health keep fighting Amy we love you #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing’;

It comes after Amy has revealed that cancer has ‘changed her forever’, noting that she’ll never take ‘anything for granted’ again after fearing she’ll ‘not make it to Christmas’.

The Strictly Come Dancing star was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May 2023 and in what became the toughest year of her life

Amy was a vision in a dazzling fuchsia ballroom gown with feather-trim embellishments, twirling around as she displayed her incredible moves

The Strictly star was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May 2023 and in what became the toughest year of her life, Amy underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy, fertility treatment and also almost died of sepsis.

And in a new interview, Amy told how she’s taking a positive outlook on life after coming through the other side, admitting she’s no longer ‘angry’ at the disease.

Speaking to Prima magazine on how her cancer experience has shaped her, Amy defiantly explained: ‘Cancer has changed me forever. I’ll never take anyone or anything for granted, and I know my own self-worth now. You could maybe have walked over me in the past, but now I know my strength.’

The dancer had found a lump in her breast the day before heading on honeymoon in May last year and after undergoing treatment, she was given the all clear this year.

But while she’s over the worst, the Welsh beauty candidly admitted that there were times that she didn’t think she’d make it through the illness as negative thoughts engulfed her.

Recalling the dark times she endured, Amy explained: ‘I would lay awake for hours, thinking, “Am I going to make it to Christmas? Am I going to dance again?” I don’t go to bed worrying now.’

Amy positively told how she’s moved on from those thoughts now and that her cancer experience had even helped her to not stress about her Crohn’s as it had to ‘take a backseat’ over cancer.

A segment of the new episode of the hit dancing show was dedicated to Amy’s own performance, where she was accompanied by a slew of talented dancers

The star is now looking forward to the future and can’t wait to get back on the Strictly dancefloor later this year.

On coming through the other side, she said: ‘I’ve come through the other side, and I can’t be angry any more. I can’t change what’s happened, I can only move on. I have the rest of my life ahead of me and I can’t give it any more time than it has already taken.’

Amy has also written a book Dancing In The Rain, about her experience, with the blonde beauty recalling how the process of writing her book was so important during her healing process as it gave her ‘purpose’.

She said: ‘When you suffer from a chronic illness or cancer, there’s a weird sense that the world is spinning without you. Your normality is taken away and you lose a sense of purpose. I’m usually such a busy bee, but I was waking up every day and not doing what I love, so the book gave me purpose in what was a very lonely dark time.’