The 34-year-old Welsh dancer, who missed out on having a celebrity partner because of her breast cancer treatment last year, was awarded 31 points from the judges for her waltz to When I Need You by singer Leo Sayer with JLS member JB Gill. Dowden, who disclosed her cancer diagnosis in May 2023, which was followed by chemotherapy and a mastectomy, said: “I am so happy I could burst.” Head judge Shirley Ballas told the dancer: “Amy, you’re home where you belong and I have to say that choreography was absolutely outstanding.
” During last weekend’s launch show professionals performed a celebratory dance to mark Dowden’s return. DIY SOS star Nick Knowles, who was celebrating his 62nd birthday, and his dance partner, Luba Mushtuk, opened this week’s show with a jive to We Built This City by Starship. Judge Anton Du Beke said they were “uplifting” and added that he felt “elated” after watching their performance, which scored 18 points from the judges.
After, Knowles was given a cake from professional dancer Carlos Gu who appeared in a hi-vis jacket and builder’s hat and grabbed a piece of the cake to push into Knowles’ face. Elsewhere former field hockey player Sam Quek and Nikita Kuzmin performed a foxtrot to Where Did Our Love Go by The Supremes. Quek, who was given 23 points by the judges, was told by Motsi Mabuse that she was “shining” while Ballas told her she had “attitude”.
Former X Factor winner Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu danced the samba t.