Amy Dowden opens up on touching documentary moment with Dianne Buswell

Amy Dowden opens up on touching documentary moment with Dianne Buswell

As a cinephile with a heart for stories that resonate deeply, I eagerly anticipate the premiere of Amy Dowden’s documentary, Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me. The raw vulnerability and unapologetic honesty that Amy brings to this documentary is truly commendable. Her journey, fraught with challenges, serves as a beacon of hope for many who may be battling similar struggles.


In her latest documentary titled “Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me,” Amy Dowden offers a personal and candid look at her cancer treatment experience, sharing it openly with the audience.

2023 saw Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy disclose she’d been diagnosed with stage three breast cancer, thankfully detected early. In this heartfelt documentary, Amy displays remarkable vulnerability, and at one point, shares her mastectomy scar with fellow dancer Dianne Buswell, after finding it challenging for weeks to finally confront that image.

Amy reveals that she and Dianne developed a strong connection when they started on Strictly Come Dancing together. When Amy reunites with Dianne after her cancer treatment, a touching moment occurs as the dancer shows off her mastectomy scar to her friend.

Dianne inquires: “What’s the current appearance of your breast?”, to which Amy responds: “I haven’t examined it myself for about two weeks, so I had to have a nurse assist me.”

“Dianne mentioned, ‘For us as dancers, our physical appearance holds great importance.’ She added, ‘We’re constantly mindful of it. Any changes in our body have a significant impact on our mental state.'”

Amy Dowden opens up on touching documentary moment with Dianne Buswell

Amy takes Dianne to see something, and Dianne responds: “Wow, it’s fantastic! It has such a lively appearance; it truly looks wonderful. It suits you perfectly… Just gazing at you, you seem stunning, and I’m eagerly anticipating the day we can dance together again. Everyone is rooting for you – everyone is.”

I, as an observer, found Amy expressing her thoughts on the subject of fame and dancing, where maintaining a “perfect” body is often expected. However, it’s fascinating to note that she no longer yearns for such a body image ideal.

“I’ve been amazed and incredibly proud of what my body has endured. It’s been through so much, yet here we are. I suppose Dianne empathized with my situation. She truly grasped it. You see, she’s a dancer as well, so she understands the demanding attire we wear and the level of honesty and openness we share with each other.”

Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Monday 26th August 2024.

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2024-08-26 23:03