Strictly Come Dancing’s Amy Dowden Centers New Doc for BBC

Amy Dowden: Fight of My Life (w.t.), following Strictly Come Dancing’s Amy Dowden for 15 months after her cancer diagnosis at 32, is set to debut on BBC One, BBC One Wales and iPlayer this summer.

The 60-minute documentary follows as Dowden discovers a lump in her breast the night before her honeymoon and is then thrown into a world of surgery, chemotherapy, fertility treatment and uncertainty. It captures the difficult times and tough decisions, as well as the more positive moments, such as Strictly Come Dancing finding a way to include her in the pro dance in the final.

The film is produced by Wildflame Productions and directed by Jacci Parry. It is executed produced by Wendie Ottewill. Nick Andrews, head of commissioning at BBC Cymru Wales, commissioned the documentary.

“A year ago, I was recently married and about to go on honeymoon, it was an exciting new chapter in my life, but finding a lump on my breast changed my life,” Dowden said. “I never thought at my age I would get cancer, and despite having family members and friends who were cancer survivors, had no idea just what the impact on my life would be. I’ve learnt so much about myself and what a cancer diagnosis means on this journey. I hope others find hope and strength from this film and that it encourages everyone to check themselves, no matter what age you are.”

“The courage and resilience Amy has shown over the past couple of years is without doubt,” Andrews commented. “To then have the strength to also allow cameras to follow her deeply personal experience in the hope that something positive will come out of what has been such a difficult experience for her and her family is nothing short of extraordinary. This film is very inspiring.”

Paul Islwyn Thomas, CEO of Wildflame Productions, added, “We’re all so grateful to Amy, her family and friends for allowing Wildflame to be with her in what has been the most challenging time of her life. Without Amy’s openness and candor, we would not have been able to make the film we have made. It’s been a huge privilege for our team, led by Jacci Parry, to have been with Amy every step of the way and to be able to share her inspirational and personal story with a wide audience on the BBC. Amy truly is one amazing lady.”