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Amy Dowden spoke out about her early Strictly exit(Image: BBC)

Amy Dowden has shared a heart-wrenching message following her early exit from Strictly Come Dancing, claiming she has “let them down”. Amy, who was partnered with former Apprentice contestant Thomas Skinner, was tragically diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023 after finding a lump just a day before her honeymoon with Ben Jones.

Amy underwent a mastectomy and IVF treatment. However, in an uplifting update last year, she announced that she had been given the all-clear, previously stating that a health check had shown “no evidence of disease”.

Unfortunately for Amy, who aspired to “represent cancer survivors” on this year’s series of Strictly, she and Thomas were the first pair to be voted off, leaving her feeling “gutted”.

Speaking to Richard Eden of the Mail at the Women of the Year Awards, Amy expressed: “I’m gutted to be out of the competition because I really wanted to represent cancer survivors – and I feel like I’ve let them down.”

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Amy Dowden has issued a heartbreaking message after her early departure from Strictly Come Dancing(Image: Aimee McGhee/Dave Benett/Getty I)

She went on to say: “I wanted Thomas to go far but, selfishly, I wanted to do it for the cancer community. Since my diagnosis, I came back, got pulled out, came back again and then finished last.

“I just wanted to show what you can be capable of following life after cancer.”

She detailed how she’d told herself that participating in the competition and returning to the dance floor would demonstrate to people that there’s “life after” a cancer diagnosis.

Before their departure, Amy and Thomas danced a salsa to Dizzee Rascal’s Bonkers, but Strictly judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, and Craig Revel Horwood chose to save Chris Robshaw and his partner, Nadiya Bychkova.

Following the decision, Amy revealed she’d “got to know” the “real Tom”, describing him as “adorable”. She also mentioned how he’d “looked after” her and they’d “laughed so much”.

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Amy wanted to “represent cancer survivors” on this year’s series(Image: ITV)

She continued: “We’ve worked so hard and a glitterball would have been amazing, but what I’ve learnt in the last few years is happiness, health and being alive is more important than anything. I’ve made a new friend for life and I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Meanwhile, Thomas expressed that he had “great fun” on the show and praised his dance partner as a “different class.” This comes after reports that Amy has shared a prediction about the current series.

Amy revealed to the Independent her “dark horse” for the 2025 competition. Speaking to the publication at the same awards, she highlighted former footballer Karen Carney.

She commented: “A footballer, who would have thought it… I love the way she’s coming out there and she’s selling these performances.”