BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans in tears as dancer Amy Dowden makes return to show

Strictly Come Dancing fans were in tears minutes into Saturday night's launch show as a dancer returned.

Amy Dowden is back as a professional dancer for the 22nd series of the show after missing last year as she underwent treatment for cancer.

Fans were delighted to see Amy back on our TV screens, as she danced in the opening, with many admitting they were in tears.

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@amylaurenhills wrote: "We’re all crying happy tears that Amy Dowden is back on Strictly, right?" while @sophiehrimell added: "Super emotional to see Amy back on the dancefloor, what a night! So happy for her to be back."

And @CLC_1D said: "Why am I already crying watching @dowden_amy dance again!!! So so happy for you and so happy to see Strictly back on TV."

Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer in May last year after finding a lump in her breast in April 2023, the day before going to the Maldives on honeymoon with her husband Ben Jones, a fellow professional dancer.

She was subsequently diagnosed with stage three breast cancer and announced the news to the public after undergoing a mastectomy. Amy later bravely documented going through chemotherapy treatment which wasn't without its setbacks with the Welsh star developing sepsis and coming close to organ failure.

It's since been confirmed that after being told there is "no evidence of disease" following her treatment, Amy will make her much-anticipated return to the ballroom floor for the 20th year of the hit dance show.

Saturday night's pre-recorded launch show saw this year's celebrities paired with their professional dance partners for the first time while the dancers perform an "empowering" routine to