Amy Dowden said she was "so happy I could burst" after her first live Strictly Come Dancing performance since being treated for breast cancer. The 24-year-old professional and her celebrity partner, singer JB Gill, topped the judges' leaderboard after being awarded 31 points for their waltz to When I Need You by singer Leo Sayer.

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has received a standing ovation in an emotional return to the ballroom. The professional dancer, who has been on the hit BBC show since 2017, was notably absent from last year's series after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

I’m so happy - The Welsh dancer missed out on having a celebrity partner last year amid her treatment for breast cancer.

Amy Dowden makes triumphant Strictly return ‘for her family’ after cancer treatment - ‘They struggled just as much as I did having to watch me go through it,’ the dancer said

Amy Dowden receives standing ovation after first dance on Strictly since cancer diagnosis Strictly Come Dancing, BBC

Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas had some touching words for Amy Dowden as she made her return to the BBC show tonight after taking a break to undergo cancer treatment

Any, the Welsh ballroom dancer, who first joined the cast of Strictly in 2017, was too ill to compete in last year's series

Professional dancer Amy Dowden says a return to the Strictly dancefloor will be "beautiful for [her] family". The Strictly star is paired with celebrity partner JLS singer JB Gill and will perform in tonight's first life performance.

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