Strictly Come Dancing dancer Amy Dowden shares health update after undergoing after second mastectomy - and said when she'll return to BBC One reality show

The professional dancer took to her Instagram page to inform her followers that her second mastectomy surgery has gone well.

The 35-year-old, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023, has undergone various forms of treatment in the last two and a half years including a mastectomy and chemotherapy. She’s also undergone fertility treatment and almost died of sepsis.

Earlier this week she explained on social media that she was going into hospital for a second mastectomy - and now she’s shared a post-operation photo taken last night as she sat in her hospital bed and started her recovery (Thursday November 6). She even shared that she managed to watch The Celebrity Traitors final which aired yesterday at 9pm on BBC One.

Alongside the photo she wrote: “Thank you for all the messages and love. Sorry I’ve not replied to anyone, (only just looked at my phone). Surgery went well and lots of sleep and resting up. Hubby & Family have been looking after me and the besties have turned up with the goods and nothing is stopping us from watching the traitors…keeping the tradition going'.

Fans, friends and loved ones wrote messages of support in the comments. Fellow professional dancer Dianne Buswell wrote: 'Heal and rest up Amy”. The Traitors host Claudia Winkleman simply posted several love heart emojis.

One fan wrote: “The absolute strongest human ever. sending you SO much love- hope you have a speedy recovery.” Another said: “What a ray of sunshine you are! Even smiling for the camera after surgery! Be kind to yourself, go gently and get well soon.”

Amy was paired with The Apprentice star Thomas Skinner on this year’s Strictly, and the pair became the first couple to leave the competition. After their elimination she said she felt she had “let down” fellow cancer sufferers as a result.

“I'm gutted to be out of the competition because I really wanted to represent cancer survivors – and I feel like I've let them down,' she said at the Women of the Year Awards at the Royal Lancaster hotel in London. “I wanted Thomas to go far but, selfishly, I wanted to do it for the cancer community. Since my diagnosis, I came back, got pulled out, came back again and then finished last.”

Amy, who took a two year break from Strictly after her cancer diagnosis, told her fans she would be having a second mastectomy on Monday (November 3), and said when she will be able to return to the beloved reality show.

She wrote on Instagram at the time: “As you all know I've always been very open about my health and the care I receive. So I'd like to start by being clear what I am about to share is not to treat a new cancer diagnosis.

“However following a recent appointment with my incredible medical team, we've decided that I'll be having another mastectomy this week. They're confident that, all going well, I can expect a straightforward recovery. Once I have healed I look forward to rejoining my Strictly family.

“Of course I'm going to miss not being there so much but I will be watching from home and look forward to cheering everyone on. Thank you always for all the support. Welsh love Amy.”