Amy Dowden rests and watches Traitors after second mastectomy

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has shared an update with fans after undergoing a second mastectomy.

The 35-year-old professional dancer on the show was diagnosed with cancer in May 2023 after discovering a lump in her breast during her honeymoon.

In a post on Instagram, accompanied by a photo of her in a hospital bed, the Welsh dancer said: "Surgery went well and lots of sleep and resting up.

"Hubby and family have been looking after me and the besties have turned up with the goods and nothing is stopping us from watching the Traitors."

The star's 2023 diagnosis meant she was forced to step down that year from performing on Strictly, but she courageously shared her health journey with the public.

Months later, she announced there was "no evidence of the disease".

Dowden reassured her fans on Monday that her second mastectomy was not related to a "new cancer diagnosis", adding that she wanted to be "clear" and "open" with her followers.

"They're confident that all will go well and I can expect a straightforward recovery," she added.

In her Instagram post following surgery, she thanked her fans for the all the "messages and love".

The dancer said she managed to "keep the tradition going" watching the Celebrity Traitors final on Thursday evening, which was won by Alan Carr.

Dowden said she "looked forward" to once again rejoining the Strictly family when her health had improved.

"I'm going to miss not being there so much but I will be watching from home and look forward to cheering everyone on."

The dancer, who was partnered with Thomas Skinner in this year's competition before they were eliminated in the second week, made a remarkable comeback to the show after being forced to pull out of last year's programme with a stress fracture in her shin.

Speaking about her Strictly return on ITV's Lorraine in October, she said: "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."

Dowden said the goal had always been to "get back on the dance floor".

"I don't think there's enough out there about the reality of after the diagnosis and how long it takes to recover."