Strictly Come Dancing’s Amy Dowden has sent a heartfelt tribute to her dad as he celebrated his retirement. The Welsh dancer is renowned for her role as one of the professionals on the popular BBC programme.
The 34-year-old regularly shares updates from her life away from the dancefloor on Instagram. She has taken to the social media platform today to send an emotional message to her dad, Richard, as he marked his birthday and his retirement. She said: “Happy birthday, HAPPY RETIREMENT DAD!
“I’m so happy you’re finally going to get the rest you so deserve! I’m so proud your my dad! Since I can remember you showed us what hard work, dedication, commitment and loyalty to your family truly is.
“Everything you did was for us. I couldn’t have had a better role model to look up to. You sacrificed everything and devoted your life to your family Can’t wait to celebrate you! Enjoy a well deserved retirement. Love you like everyone who meets you! See you later dad xxx.”
Ant McPartlin’s ex wife,. Lisa Armstrong, who is a make-up specialist on Strictly , took to the comments and said: “He’s lush!!!!” Amy’s fellow pro and close friend, Carlos Gu, added: “Happppppppppiest of Birthday @richard_dowden , fabulous retirement as well. See u tmr x” [sic]
Amy and Carlos embarked on a UK tour earlier this year, which arrived at the M&S Bank Arena in March. Amy spoke to the ECHO in an exclusive interview ahead of the show and spoke of the fond memories she holds from her times visiting Merseyside.
She said: “[Liverpool audiences are] always really loud, which I love. [My favourite things about Liverpool] are the accent and the very loyal people. I’m obsessed with the accent, you’ll find me trying to do it.
“I always loved coming and competing in Liverpool. Dianne [Buswell] and I had a lovely spa day at the Titanic Hotel recently and then we went for a walk down the docks. That was beautiful.”
Amy has been dealt setback after setback over recent years since she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023. However, the dancer told the ECHO how she is now feeling better than ever.
She said: “I’m feeling like Amy again. I don’t think it was until December when I was like ‘this is what it felt like’. I’ve got my energy back. I’ve got my strength back.
“I feel an even better version of myself.” Amy has been candid throughout her health battle as she regularly shared brave updates on social media of each step of the way after her diagnosis.
The dancer admitted it was “scary” to be so public about a private issue, but knew she had to face up to her fears to raise awareness on such an important cause that affects so many.
She said: “‘I’d opened up about my Crohn’s disease and I’d saw the impact that made. When I was diagnosed [with cancer], I knew it was going to come out to the public so I wanted to turn such a negative into a positive and hopefully get people checking themselves.
“Early detection saves lives. I never thought, at 32, I’d be diagnosed with breast cancer. If you’re not checking yourself, then who is because you don’t get mammograms until you’re in your 50s.
“I wanted to raise awareness and get as many people as I possibly could checking themselves to save lives. But also make sure people who can get their mammograms are not missing their routine appointments.
“It was very scary and I did have doubts, but, ultimately, you’ve got to think of the bigger picture and I wanted to use the platform I’ve been so lucky to have been given to hopefully help others and save lives.”