'I embraced the bald' - Amy Dowden breaks silence on Strictly appearance amid cancer battle

ok.co.uk:

Brave Amy Dowden has broken her silence to say she "embraced the bald" after she appeared on Strictly Come Dancing without a wig amid her breast cancer battle.The professional dancer made a surprise return on Saturday night's live Movie Week show, 7 October, to read the voting terms and conditions.

She's recently been seen wearing wigs, after shaving her head due to hair loss from chemotherapy treatment. Presenter Claudia Winkleman introduced the 33 year old star, who was wearing a floor-length white sequin gown, with Amy then telling viewers: "I am halfway through treatment for chemo, and I can't wait to be back with you all soon." Now Amy has thanked TV viewers for their support and described the "pure joy" she felt at being back on the show after being forced to pull out this year due to her cancer diagnosis.Taking to Instagram, the dancer said: "There are no words to describe the pure joy and happiness I felt last night being back with my @bbcstrictly family.

It is their love and support that gave me the courage to decide last minute to step out and brave the bald." And the continued: "Not saying it was easy and I still miss my long hair dearly but gosh did it feel liberating and it’s breast cancer awareness month which gave me that extra push to do it." Amy, who revealed she'd been diagnosed with Grade 3 breast cancer in May this year, also revealed that it was supportive messages from fans that inspired her to ditch the wigs she's been wearing, for the show.