A Strictly star has spoken about her ambition to become the first Welsh professional to win the show.
Amy Dowden, a ballroom dancer from Caerphilly, detailed her life journey, filled with determination and resilience, as a guest speaker at the M4 Business Breakfast in Newport on Tuesday, May 13.
Her passion for dancing was evident from a young age, and she even switched schools to pursue her dream.
In 2015, alongside her now-husband Ben Jones, Amy was a runner-up in the British Championships.
The following year, she and Ben made history by becoming the first British pair to win the British National Latin Championships in over 30 years.
Despite being invited to join Strictly Come Dancing in 2016, Amy held off, choosing to first fulfil her dance stage goals.
Amy joined the show in 2017, making her mark as the first Welsh professional dancer on the programme.
In 2023, Amy faced a tough battle with cancer, undergoing chemotherapy and dealing with sepsis, a blood clot, and a broken foot.
However, she remained optimistic and was declared cancer-free in 2024.
She was also honoured with an MBE, although she had to retire injured mid-season.
Amy's message to the audience was clear: "You always need to be true to yourself."
