Wiltshire


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/06/amy-dowden-strictly-reborn-tour.jpg-1000x667.jpg" alt="amy-dowden-carlos-gu-r-amy-and-carlos-reborn-tour." class="wp-image-41929" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/06/amy-dowden-strictly-reborn-tour.jpg-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/06/amy-dowden-strictly-reborn-tour.jpg-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/06/amy-dowden-strictly-reborn-tour.jpg-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/06/amy-dowden-strictly-reborn-tour.jpg.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Steve Ullathorne </figcaption></figure>



<p>The last few years have been packed with incredible highs and crushing lows for <em>Strictly Come Dancing</em> star Amy Dowden, 35. She’s rapidly become one of the show&#8217;s most popular dancers, while also inspiring millions with her openness about her battle with breast cancer. Now, as she gears up for her tenth stint in the Strictly ballroom, she&#8217;s hitting the road with reigning champion and close friend Carlos Gu, in <a href="https://www.amyandcarlostour.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Amy &amp; Carlos</em> <em>Reborn</em></a>. It&#8217;s a dazzling dance spectacular, and also an intimate portrait of their lives. </p>



<p>Ahead of their date at Swindon’s Wyvern Theatre, we caught up with Amy to chat about her recovery from breast cancer, returning to Strictly and why sharing the stage with Carlos means so much.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tell-us-about-amy-amp-carlos-reborn"><strong>Tell us about <em>Amy &amp; Carlos Reborn</em>&#8230;</strong></h2>



<p><em>Reborn</em> is my story, and what better way to share it than through dance. It’s about celebrating how far I’ve come. I’m in 22 dance numbers, so I’ve been preparing since January. It’s full-on! We have six phenomenal dancers and Jake Leigh, one of the Strictly choreographers, is our dance captain. We also have Andrea [Grant], who is the <em>Strictly Come Dancing</em> vocalist. And of course we have Carlos, who sings as well as dancing and headlining with me. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/06/amy-dowden-carlos-gu-reborn-tour.jpg-1000x667.jpg" alt="amy-dowden-carlos-gu-r-amy-and-carlos-reborn-tour." class="wp-image-41928" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/06/amy-dowden-carlos-gu-reborn-tour.jpg-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/06/amy-dowden-carlos-gu-reborn-tour.jpg-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/06/amy-dowden-carlos-gu-reborn-tour.jpg-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/06/amy-dowden-carlos-gu-reborn-tour.jpg.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Steve Ullathorne </figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-did-you-and-carlos-become-friends"><strong>How did you and Carlos become friends? </strong></h2>



<p>We used to compete against each other, so we’d see each other at competitions around the world. Then when he joined <em>Strictly Come Dancing</em>, we just gravitated to one another. Carlos is like family, and he was there for me during my cancer diagnosis. We’re super close, we even have a bedroom at home for when he wants to come and stay.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-do-you-have-any-pre-show-routines"><strong>Do you have any pre-show routines? </strong></h2>



<p>We get together as a cast, and Carlos always does a pep talk for everyone. He does his vocal warm-ups, because he sings in the show, and we do a final countdown. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/06/Amy-Dowden-Carlos-Gu-Strictly-Come-Dancing-1000x667.jpg" alt="Amy-Dowden-Carlos-Gu-Strictly-dancers" class="wp-image-41854" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/06/Amy-Dowden-Carlos-Gu-Strictly-Come-Dancing-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/06/Amy-Dowden-Carlos-Gu-Strictly-Come-Dancing-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/06/Amy-Dowden-Carlos-Gu-Strictly-Come-Dancing-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/06/Amy-Dowden-Carlos-Gu-Strictly-Come-Dancing.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: Steve Ullathorne</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-are-you-doing-health-wise"><strong>How are you doing, health-wise? </strong></h2>



<p>I had a second mastectomy last year &#8211; we made the decision after seeing changes in my scans. Luckily everything was ok, and I&#8217;ve recovered so well. Before last year’s <em>Reborn</em> tour, I was considering giving up dancing. After everything I’d been through with my cancer treatment and being pulled out of <em>Strictly Come Dancing</em>, I was at an all-time low with my confidence. But the tour gave me my confidence back and it turned into such a positive year. Performing, sharing my story on stage and meeting the fans changed everything. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-did-you-get-your-fitness-back-on-track">How did you get your fitness back on track? </h2>



<p>I had some dance lessons again, and I did a lot of reformer Pilates, which has really helped with my recovery. Time out and chemotherapy take their toll, I felt like I’d lost my speed and flexibility. Now, I’m feeling stronger, fitter, healthier and happier in myself. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-did-dance-help">Did dance help? </h2>



<p>It’s the best way for me to release my feelings. Ever since I was a little girl, the best way for me to let out frustration has been putting on music, dancing and forgetting all my worries. &nbsp;And when you’re dancing in theatres and having standing ovations, there’s no feeling like it.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/06/Amy-Dowden-Carlos-Gu-Strictly-dancers-1000x667.jpg" alt="Amy-Dowden-Carlos-Gu-Strictly-dancers" class="wp-image-41855" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/06/Amy-Dowden-Carlos-Gu-Strictly-dancers-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/06/Amy-Dowden-Carlos-Gu-Strictly-dancers-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/06/Amy-Dowden-Carlos-Gu-Strictly-dancers-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/06/Amy-Dowden-Carlos-Gu-Strictly-dancers.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: Steve Ullathorne</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-did-you-stay-positive-during-the-tough-times">How did you stay positive during the tough times? </h2>



<p>I didn’t always stay positive, I had some low moments. But I’m lucky to have so many loved ones around me, and love and support from the<em> Strictly Come Dancing</em> team. It meant the world that I could still go down and be part of the show when I was having a good weekend during chemo.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-re-back-on-strictly-for-your-10th-year-congrats">You&#8217;re back on Strictly for your 10th year, congrats!</h2>



<p>Can you believe it? I grew up watching <em>Strictly Come Dancing</em>, so to be the first welsh professional dancer on the show makes me so proud. Even though this is my 10th series, it still feels like year one. It feels so surreal and exciting to be part of it, I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity.</p>



<p><strong>See Amy Dowden and Carlos Gu in <em>Amy &amp; Carlos</em> <em>Reborn</em>, at Swindon&#8217;s Wyvern Theatre on 21st June. <a href="https://www.amyandcarlostour.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tickets </a>from £37. </strong></p>


Muddy meets: Strictly’s Amy Dowden

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