Amy Dowden posted sweet behind-the-scenes snaps with her Strictly co-stars as she returned to the show for Saturday's final amid her battle with breast cancer.
The 33-year-old professional dancer was diagnosed with breast cancer in May and underwent a mastectomy in July. This year she had to stay away from the show due to treatment.
But she returned for the finale and seemed to be having a great time as she met up with all her pals in the dressing rooms during the show.
She shared snaps with finalist Dianne Buswell and dancers Nancy Xu and Gorka Marquez.
Amy looked stunning in a baby blue dress as she shared the mirror selfie with Gorka and also a snap with fellow pro Carlos Gu.
Amy Dowden posted sweet behind-the-scenes snaps with her Strictly co-stars as she returned to the show for Saturday's final (seen with Dianne Buswell) amid her battle with breast cancer.
She shared snaps with finalist Dianne Buswell and dancers Nancy Xu (pictured) and Gorka Marquez
Viewers were moved to tears as Amy returned to the dance floor of the show on Saturday at this year's finale.
Although she appeared on the show and its spin-off “It Takes Two,” she had not danced with her fellow pros before the finale.
But on Saturday she took to the dance floor again and decided not to wear a wig because she had lost her hair after chemotherapy.
The moment sparked great emotion among viewers, with many taking to Twitter to express their joy at seeing her on screen.
One viewer wrote: “It tears me up watching Amy Dowden dance at the #StrictlyFinal. Let’s have her back at #strictly soon!”
Someone else shared: “That Amy Dowden revelation was a MOMENT.”
“@AmyDowden dances!!! Oh my god, that's so beautiful to see. “Drippy eyed moment,” another viewer shared.
While someone else posted: “OMG #Strictly A minute later and crying as I watch beautiful #AmyDowden dance.”
Amy looked stunning in a baby blue dress as she shared the mirror selfie with Gorka and wrote: “Who's finally ready???”
She also shared a snap with fellow professional dancer Carlos Gu, while contestant Zara McDermott could be seen in the background
Another fan of the show commented: “Amy Dowden dancing without a wig is the energy everyone needs.”
While someone else said: “Great to see Amy Dowden in the opening routine!!”
Amy pulled out of this year's series of Strictly Come Dancing as she underwent chemotherapy, which she completed in November.
However, earlier this week the star appeared on ITV's This Morning where she admitted her cancer journey is far from over.
The chemotherapy caused neuropathy, meaning she temporarily lost feeling in her hands and feet, causing her to land on her foot at a strange angle and fracture her metatarsal.
And just weeks after breaking her foot, Amy was hospitalized with another health blow.
The professional dancer was diagnosed with a blood clot in her lungs but is now recovering well thanks to blood-thinning injections.
Amy explained: “I take each day as it comes.” I thought once I rang the bell I would be fine, but it wasn't like that, I find it much harder mentally now. The journey is not over yet.
“I've had the thing I love most taken away from me and I just think it's so cruel.”
As the cover star of Women's Health UK in December, Amy opened up about the life-changing ordeal she's been through since her cancer diagnosis in May.
The dancer insisted: “I just want to be treated like normal.” When I go outside and wear my headscarf, I don't want any sympathetic looks or pity for me – I'm Amy.
“Sometimes people don’t know how to deal with it. Just ask how I am and I will answer you. We don't want you to feel sorry for us. We accept it. Stay strong with us… Don't look at me with such pity – I don't need that!'
Speaking about her husband and former dance partner Ben Jones, who was there from the start with the Crohn's disease diagnosis, she added: “Nothing's going to break us now!”
Ellie Leach became the youngest winner of Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday with her professional dance partner Vito Coppola
The 22-year-old TV star defeated two other couples – Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell and Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin.
Viewers were moved to tears as Amy returned to the dance floor of the show on Saturday at this year's finale
Although she appeared on the show and its spin-off “It Takes Two,” she had not danced with her fellow pros before the finale
Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer in May and underwent a mastectomy in July (seen in hospital).
After winning the Glitterball trophy, the former Coronation Street star said: “I really can’t believe this.”
“For once you cry more than me,” she said to Vito.
She added: “This is for you, this is for you.”
Of her win, Vito said: “I mean, this is like the icing on the cake.”
He turned to Ellie: “You've been so great, you're Strictly, you represent Strictly. 'You're finally the diamond I was talking about.'
Strictly Final 2023: The leaderboard
Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin
Favorite dance – Argentine Tango to Tattoo by Loreen –(10+10+10+10) = 40
Show Dance – Friend Like Me by Ne-Yo – (9+10+10+10) = 39
Judges' Choice – Quickstep to Puttin' On The Ritz by Gregory Porter – (10+10+10+10) = 40
Total: 119
Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola
Favorite Dance – American Smooth to Ain't That A Kick In The Head by Robbie Williams – (10+10+10+10) = 40
Show dance – Jennifer Lopez Megamix – (9+9+9+9) = 36
Jury Choice – Paso Doble to Insomnia by 2WEI – (9+10+10+10) = 39
Total: 115
Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell
Favorite dance – pairing choice for this woman’s work by Maxwell – (9+10+10+10) = 39
Show Dance – La La Land Medley – (9+10+10+10) = 39
Jury Selection – Samba to Young Hearts Run Free by Candi Staton – (9+10+10+10) = 39
Total: 117