'I hope people feel inspired': Strictly Come Dancing's Amy Dowden on Reborn tour with Carlos Gu
Dancer Amy Dowden says she’s feeling “fitter and stronger” than ever as she embarks on a tour with fellow Strictly Come Dancing professional Carlos Gu. The pair are on the road again with their live tour Reborn, returning to theatres across the UK after a run of the show last year.
Since then Carlos became 2025 Strictly champion with former England Lionesses footballer Karen Carney and Amy underwent another mastectomy more than two years after a cancer diagnosis.
“We are bringing back some of the favourite numbers from last year and we’re bringing in some new numbers,” she says.
"We take you on a very deep, personal story but hopefully leave you feeling celebrated, joyous, inspired – hopefully everyone walks away feeling seen and heard.
"We go through Carlos’ life moving form China to the UK, being able to be able to be true to himself, his sexuality, being accepted and loved by the British public.
"And we also look at me and my health battle and everything I’ve been through and celebrate being back on the dance floor feeling fitter and happier than ever.”
Amy revealed she had been diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023. She had a mastectomy and underwent chemotherapy, with her treatment preventing her from being able to compete with a celebrity partner on the BBC dancing programme in 2023.
In 2024, she returned to the dancefloor, partnered with former JLS star JB Gill, however she was forced to pull out of Strictly midway through the 20th anniversary series due to an injury.
She returned again last year, partnered with former Apprentice contestant and social media star Thomas Skinner but they were eliminated in week two.
Both Amy and Carlos have been confirmed as returning professionals on this year’s show, which will be hosted for the first time by former fellow dancer Johannes Radebe, Emma Willis and comedian Josh Widdicombe. "I’m so excited for Strictly to be back on our screens,” Amy says.
The 35-year-old has recently spoken about how she was “ready to hang up my dancing shoes” after receiving her cancer treatment and said she was grateful to her husband and Carlos for telling her no. She also said that her love for dancing on the show motivated her to get better.
"I went back to Strictly 2024 probably too soon and ended up being pulled out,” she reflects. “I just didn’t feel confident anymore. I felt like I’d lost me, I’d lost the dancer.
"Going on tour last year with Carlos in Reborn is what gave me my confidence back again. That’s why this tour is so meaningful and special.”
"I hope people go away feeling inspired,” she adds. “Thinking never to give up, dream big…and always believe in yourself.”
Amy and Carlos: Reborn is at Grand Opera House, York on June 16. Visit amyandcarlostour.co.uk