Amy Dowden invited her Strictly Come Dancing co-star Carlos Gu to experience “his first British Christmas” with her and her loved ones.
The 33-year-old star with sparkly toes, who took time out from this year's series of Strictly after being diagnosed with cancer, took to Instagram on Sunday to share a glimpse of her festive celebrations.
TV personality Amy posed with 30-year-old Carlos, who is from China, before the couple enjoyed a meal with her husband Benjamin Jones and twin sister Becky.
She captioned her post: “Appreciate every moment and everyone in your life!” Merry Christmas everyone!
“We have @gkx_carlos with us celebrating his first British Christmas!” Sending Welsh love to everyone, especially thinking of those who may be finding this time of year difficult. #Merry Christmas to everyone.'
Amy Dowden invited her Strictly Come Dancing colleague, China's Carlos Gu, to experience “his first British Christmas” with her and her loved ones
TV personality Amy was seen posing with 30-year-old Carlos, who is from China, before the pair enjoyed a meal with her twin sister Becky (right).
She captioned her post: “Appreciate every moment and everyone in your life!” Merry Christmas everyone! “We have @gkx_carlos celebrating his first British Christmas!”
It comes after Amy documented her final hospital appointment before Christmas on Thursday.
The dancer, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in May and underwent a mastectomy in July, was supported on the visit by her devoted husband Benjamin Jones.
Donning a festive jumper, she beamed the snaps and thanked hospital staff before jokingly saying a big injection was her “early Christmas present”.
She wrote: “The last date before Christmas, then we get into the Christmas spirit and go out with lovely dance teachers!! Ready to spend Christmas with my loved one.'
Amy and Ben tied the knot in July 2002 and discovered a lump in her breast the day before she flew to the Maldives for her delayed honeymoon.
This comes after Amy thanked the Strictly Come Dancing team in a heartfelt social media post last Sunday after she returned to the show for the final after having to miss the series due to cancer treatment.
She returned for the finale and seemed to be having a great time as she met up with all her friends in the dressing rooms during the show.
She shared behind-the-scenes snaps with finalist Dianne Buswell and crew members.
Amy was in good spirits as she shared a picture of herself posing with husband Benjamin Jones on Sunday
Alongside the pictures, Amy wrote on Instagram: “Strictly 2023, thank you!” Congratulations to our amazing winners and finalists, but also to every member of the team! It really is a dream team!'
“My goal this year was to be able to dance in some way and after I broke my foot plans had to change but as always the incredible team still made it happen.”
“I was able to be part of the opening number last night, thank you @jasongilkison. The adrenaline rush of performing in front of an audience and returning to the gang made me feel like Amy again (for the first time since my diagnosis). Thank you @bbcstrictly for helping me over the last few months.
“You have helped me more than you will ever know!” This show is sure to bring joy to the nation. The ending is bittersweet for me because it was my only bit of normality in the last few months and gave me the distraction and focus to be there with the team on Saturdays when I could.”
Concluding the post, she wrote, “My heart couldn't be more full for this show and everyone involved.” I'm so proud to be a part of the magic! Thank you very much!'
This comes after Amy took to Instagram on Thursday to document her final hospital appointment before Christmas
Donning a festive jumper, she bravely beamed the snaps and thanked hospital staff before jokingly saying a big injection was her “early Christmas present”.
She wrote: “The last date before Christmas, then we get into the Christmas spirit and go out with lovely dance teachers!! Ready to spend Christmas with my loved one'
Amy and Ben tied the knot in July 2002 and discovered a lump in her breast the day before she flew to the Maldives for her delayed honeymoon
Viewers were moved to tears as Amy returned to the show's dance floor in this year's finale.
Although she made appearances on the show and its spin-off It Takes Two, she hadn't 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.”
She returned to the dance floor for the Strictly final on Saturday after having to miss the series due to her illness
This comes after Amy thanked the Strictly team in a heartfelt post last Sunday after she returned to the show for the final after being forced to miss the series due to cancer treatment
She returned for the finale and seemed to be having a great time as she met up with all her friends in the dressing rooms during the show
Alongside the pictures, Amy wrote on Instagram: “Strictly 2023, thank you!” Congratulations to our amazing winners and finalists, but also to every member of the team! It really is a dream team!'
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 as soon as 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.
Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer in May and underwent a mastectomy in July (seen in hospital).
“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!'.