Amy Dowden MBE is a Welsh professional ballroom and Latin dancer, best known as a star of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. Her journey from a childhood diagnosis of Crohn’s disease to a public battle with breast cancer, all while maintaining her career, has made her one of the UK’s most recognised advocates for health awareness.
Born in Caerphilly, Wales, Dowden joined the Strictly professional team in 2017 and quickly became a fan favourite. She reached the final in 2019 with celebrity partner Kelvin Fletcher, solidifying her reputation as a formidable competitor on the dance floor.
Beyond her television career, Dowden has drawn on her personal experiences with chronic illness to become a powerful voice for fundraising and awareness, earning an MBE for her efforts in 2024.
Who Is Amy Dowden? A Complete Biography of the Strictly Star
Amy Dowden is a professional dancer, television personality, and cancer advocate from Wales. She is most famous for her role on Strictly Come Dancing, where she has been a professional dancer since 2017. She also runs a dance school with her husband and is a prominent ambassador for Crohn’s disease and cancer charities.
Amy Dowden MBE
Strictly Come Dancing Professional, Cancer Advocate
10 August 1990, Caerphilly, Wales
Ben Jones (m. 2022)
Breast Cancer Survivor, Crohn’s Disease Ambassador
Instagram: @amy_dowden
- Amy Dowden was diagnosed with grade three breast cancer at age 32 in 2023, underwent chemotherapy, and has since become a leading UK cancer awareness advocate.
- She continues as a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing while balancing treatment and recovery.
- Amy Dowden’s husband Ben Jones, a dancer and choreographer, has been a key support figure throughout her health journey.
- She has publicly shared her desire for children and the impact of cancer treatment on fertility, becoming a voice for fertility preservation.
- As of 2025, Amy Dowden is cancer-free and using her platform to fundraise for Tenovus Cancer Care and Crohn’s & Colitis UK.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Profession | Professional Ballroom & Latin Dancer, TV Personality |
| TV Debut | Strictly Come Dancing (2017), Finalist (2019) |
| Cancer Diagnosis | Grade 3 Breast Cancer (2023) |
| Cancer Status | In Remission / Clear (as of 2024-2025) |
| Health Advocacy | Patron of Tenovus Cancer Care, Ambassador for Crohn’s & Colitis UK |
| Honours | Awarded MBE (2024) |
| Book | ‘Dancing Through Life’ (2024) |
| Marriage | Married Ben Jones, July 2022 |
| Sibling | Twin sister: Rebecca Dowden |
Amy Dowden’s Health Battle: What Cancer Did She Have and What Is Her Status?
Dowden was diagnosed with grade 3 breast cancer in 2023 after finding a lump in April of that year, shortly before her honeymoon with Ben Jones. She underwent a mastectomy, and further cancer was subsequently found, leading to a course of chemotherapy.
Is Amy Dowden cancer-free?
In February 2024, Dowden reported that a check-up showed “no sign of the disease,” though she has stated she is not yet at the five-year all-clear mark. In November 2025, she announced she was due to undergo another mastectomy, but clarified that the procedure was not due to a new cancer diagnosis.
While Amy Dowden has said she is currently clear of cancer, her status is described as being in remission. Regular monitoring continues, which is typical for breast cancer survivors. The 2025 mastectomy has been described as a precautionary or reconstructive procedure, not prompted by a recurrence.
Does Amy Dowden have Crohn’s disease?
Yes. Dowden has had Crohn’s disease since childhood and has spoken publicly about its effect on her life and career. She has been hospitalised more than 100 times for the condition and fronted a BBC documentary about living with it. She is a prominent ambassador for Crohn’s & Colitis UK.
Who Is Amy Dowden’s Husband Ben Jones? Marriage, Relationship, and Family Plans
Amy Dowden’s husband is Ben Jones, a dancer and choreographer. The pair met through the dance circuit and became dance partners in 2013. Together, they ran a dance school before Dowden’s Strictly career took off.
When did Amy Dowden get married?
Jones proposed on New Year’s Eve 2017, and the couple married on the Gower Peninsula in July 2022.
Does Amy Dowden have children?
As of 2025, the couple does not have children. Dowden has spoken openly about her desire for children and the impact of her cancer treatment on her fertility. A 2024 BBC documentary showed that she had frozen embryos in connection with her treatment, a step taken to preserve future options.
Ben Jones is a dancer and choreographer who co-owned a dance school with Dowden. Multiple interviews portray him as her primary support system during her health battles, with Dowden saying he focuses on the positive and helps with practical tasks when she is unwell.
Does Amy Dowden Have a Twin Sister? Family Background Explained
Yes, Amy Dowden has a twin sister named Rebecca Dowden. Rebecca is not a public figure, and little publicly available information exists about her career or personal life. The sisters are reportedly close, but Rebecca has remained largely out of the media spotlight.
Amy was born and raised in Caerphilly, Wales, where she began dancing at a young age. Her parents have been supportive of her career, but they have also kept a relatively low public profile.
Amy Dowden On Strictly Come Dancing: Career Highlights and 2025 Update
Dowden joined the Strictly Come Dancing team in 2017 and quickly became a staple of the show. She reached the finals in 2019 with actor Kelvin Fletcher, who went on to win the series. Other notable partners have included Tom Fletcher and James Bye.
Following her cancer diagnosis, Dowden took a step back from the show during treatment but has since returned. For the 2024-2025 seasons, her participation has been adjusted to accommodate her recovery. It remains unclear whether she will return for the full 2025 season, as her future participation depends on health and medical advice.
Amy Dowden’s Book, Instagram, and MBE: Key Facts and Media Presence
Dowden’s autobiography, titled ‘Dancing Through Life’, was published in 2024 and became a Sunday Times bestseller. A paperback edition was released in August 2025. The book details her dance career, her diagnosis, and her recovery.
She is highly active on Instagram under the handle @amy_dowden, where she has over one million followers. She uses the platform to share daily life, advocacy posts, and updates on her health and charity work.
In the 2024 Birthday Honours, Dowden was awarded an MBE for her services to fundraising and raising awareness of inflammatory bowel disease. At the ceremony, she reportedly discussed her chemotherapy experience with King Charles.
Amy Dowden’s exact net worth is not publicly disclosed. Estimates typically range from £1-3 million, based on her Strictly Come Dancing salary, book deals, and public speaking engagements.
Amy Dowden’s Timeline: Key Events in Her Life and Career
- 1990: Born in Caerphilly, Wales. Diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in childhood.
- 2013: Became dance partners with Ben Jones after meeting through the dance circuit.
- 2017: Joined Strictly Come Dancing as a professional dancer. Engaged to Ben Jones on New Year’s Eve.
- 2019: Reached the Strictly finals with actor Kelvin Fletcher. Publicly discussed her Crohn’s disease.
- 2022: Married Ben Jones in July on the Gower Peninsula.
- 2023: Diagnosed with grade 3 breast cancer. Underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy.
- 2024: Received an MBE. Reported no sign of disease at a check-up. Published her autobiography.
- 2025: Announced a planned mastectomy (not due to a new cancer diagnosis). Featured on Who Do You Think You Are?.
What Is Certain and What Remains Unclear About Amy Dowden’s Life?
| Topic | Established Information | What Remains Unclear |
|---|---|---|
| Cancer status | Confirmed in remission as of 2024. No publicly stated recurrence as of 2025. | Regular monitoring continues; typical for breast cancer survivors. |
| Future children / pregnancy | Has expressed desire for children and discussed fertility preservation. | No public confirmation of pregnancy. Speculative reporting only; treat as personal/private. |
| Return to Strictly full-time | Returned for 2024-2025 seasons with reduced participation. | Future participation depends on health and doctor’s advice; not guaranteed to be full roster. |
| Twin sister details | Confirmed she has a twin sister named Rebecca (non-public figure). | Little publicly available information about sister’s career or personal life. |
Why Does Amy Dowden’s Story Matter in the Broader Context of Health and Fame?
Dowden’s prominence rose significantly during her public cancer journey, turning her into one of the UK’s most recognised cancer advocates. Her dual chronic condition—Crohn’s disease and breast cancer—is rare in public figures, providing unique depth to her advocacy.
The combination of Strictly’s high viewership and her active social media presence allows her to reach a wide audience for health messaging. Her MBE and charity work signal institutional recognition of her impact, which strengthens public trust in the health information she shares. Media appearances like ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ broaden her appeal beyond dance fans, cementing her status as a prominent Welsh figure.
Sources and Key Quotes From Amy Dowden’s Public Appearances
Several direct quotes from Dowden’s public interviews provide insight into her experience. On ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ (BBC, 2025), she made an emotional discovery about her family history. In her role as patron for Tenovus Cancer Care, she has spoken about why she supports cancer care. Her daily Instagram posts under @amy_dowden provide ongoing, first-person updates on her health journey. Her book ‘Dancing Through Life’ (2024) contains her own words on her diagnosis and recovery.
Summary: A Life of Dance, Resilience, and Advocacy
Amy Dowden’s life is defined by resilience. From her childhood battle with Crohn’s disease to her diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer, she has continued to dance and to use her platform for good. Her marriage to Ben Jones, her MBE, and her bestselling book have all marked a period of profound personal and professional growth. Readers interested in similar journeys of public figures overcoming health challenges may also be interested in Harry Judd – Wife, Children, Illness, Strictly Win.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amy Dowden
How old is Amy Dowden?
Amy Dowden was born on 10 August 1990, making her 34 years old as of 2025.
What is Amy Dowden’s book called?
Her autobiography is titled ‘Dancing Through Life’, published in 2024.
Does Amy Dowden have an MBE?
Yes, she was awarded an MBE in 2024 for services to dance and cancer awareness.
What is Amy Dowden’s net worth?
Exact net worth is not publicly disclosed. Estimates range from £1-3 million based on Strictly salary, book deals, and endorsements.
Does Amy Dowden have a twin?
Yes, she has a twin sister named Rebecca, who is not a public figure.
Who is Amy Dowden’s agent?
She is represented by The BKs Agency for public speaking and appearances.
What happened on Who Do You Think You Are? with Amy Dowden?
In 2025, Dowden appeared on the BBC show and made an emotional discovery about her family history, though specific details of the episode are limited.
Daniel Mercer is Business & Economy Correspondent at RegionalReport.co.uk, covering regional business news, local economy, employment, retail and property.