Strictly’s Amy Dowden says it’s ‘not what we planned’ on wedding anniversary after breast cancer news

Strictly Come Dancing’s Amy Dowden has paid tribute to her husband on their first wedding anniversary following her recent announcement that she has breast cancer.

The professional dancer who wed Ben Jones in a lavish ceremony in Wales last July wrote on Instagram: “One year since our special day with our favourite people. What I would do right now to relive this perfect day.

“Not the anniversary or year we certainly had planned but I am sure and determined to have many more better ones with you!

“Thank you for being by my side, spoiling me, being Mr positive when I’m not and choosing to love me! Love you always,” the 32-year-old concluded.

Fans and a string of Strictly stars, including Jowita Przystał, Carlos Gu and Nancy Xu, took to the comments to wish her and Jones a happy anniversary.

In other posts on her Instagram Story, alongside snaps from their wedding, the dance pro gushed about her husband: “I know I can beat anything with you by my side. And may we always be by each other’s side! Love you always.”

In May, Dowden had shared her diagnosis in a statement posted to Instagram in which she said that she was “determined to get back on that dance floor”. She later revealed that she had undergone a single mastectomy.

During a recent interview Strictly head judge Shirley Ballas described Dowden as “one of the strongest women I know”.

“I prefer to write letters, so I’ve been writing letters to her and have sent her flowers to cheer her up,” she added to metro.co.uk. “The whole group has come around Amy.

“She never feels sorry for herself and just gets on with it and I am sure she is going to do the same [now]. She is determined to be back on this [next] series.”

Dowden has said she hopes to be back vying for that Glitterball once again when Strictly returns in mid-September.