Strictly’s Amy Dowden Says She’s ‘Feeling Good’ Despite New ‘Hurdle’ During Cancer Treatment

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has updated fans on her condition after recently beginning a second course of chemotherapy.

Earlier this year, Amy shared that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and after undergoing a mastectomy, more tumours and another form of the disease were discovered.

To treat her cancer, the Welsh ballroom and Latin dance performer began a particular chemotherapy treatment known as the “red devil” at the beginning of this month, and recently shared how she was feeling during her second round.

On Wednesday evening, Amy posted a selfie from a hospital bed, celebrating the fact she was going home to her own bed, apparently for the first time since Monday.

And although she shared that she’d been presented with “another hurdle”, Amy assured her followers she was “feeling good”.

“And I’m going home to my own bed!” she enthused. “Thanks again to the marvellous NHS!

“Got some blood clots but I’m feeling good other than a sore and swollen arm. Another hurdle along this journey. But again forever grateful to the NHS and my heroes around me. Can’t wait to get into my own bed [for the first time] since Monday though.”

In her previous update, Amy spoke candidly about the “heartbreaking” side-effects of her chemotherapy treatment, and admitted she was finding hair loss especially difficult.

On Wednesday night, she posted a picture on her Instagram story of herself holding some of the hair she’d lost, writing: “Welcome home! So much every day! So hard! One day at a time!”

Amy shared another update on her Instagram story on Wednesday night
Amy shared another update on her Instagram story on Wednesday night

Instagram/Amy Dowden

While Amy’s treatment means she will not be able to compete on Strictly when it returns to our screens next month, she previously shared that she wanted to be “present” during this year’s live shows “in some way”.

“If I have to have chemotherapy, I’ll be present in some way, even if I’m in a wig,” she told The Mirror back in June. “I know amazing hair people with Strictly.

“Whether it’s on It Takes Two, or being up in Claudia’s area waiting for the scores, I’ll be there.”

Amy first competed on Strictly in 2017, and during that time has been partnered with contestants including actor Danny John-Jules, EastEnders stars Brian Conley and James Bye, Invictus Games athlete JJ Chalmers, McFly singer Tom Fletcher and presenter Karim Zeroual, with whom she reached the Strictly final back in 2019.

Last year, she also danced with CBeebies regular George Webster on Strictly’s annual Christmas special.

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Bradley Cooper Supported By Anti-Defamation League Amid Debate Over Prosthetic Nose In Maestro

Bradley Cooper has received support from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) amid an ongoing debate about his upcoming film.

Last week, the trailer for Bradley’s latest project Maestro – a Netflix original in which the Oscar nominee portrays the legendary composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein – was released.

However, soon after the teaser was posted online, many took issue with the fact the actor had worn a prosthetic nose to play the late musician, which some critics felt played into anti-Semitic stereotypes, particularly as Bradley himself is not Jewish.

On Monday, the ADL released a statement on the matter to Variety, which read: “Throughout history, Jews were often portrayed in antisemitic films and propaganda as evil caricatures with large, hooked noses.

“This film, which is a biopic on the legendary conductor Leonard Bernstein, is not that.”

Carey Mulligan and Bradley Cooper in Maestro
Carey Mulligan and Bradley Cooper in Maestro

Jason McDonald/Netflix

Bradley previously received support from Bernstein’s family, who released a statement reading: “Bradley Cooper included the three of us along every step of his amazing journey as he made his film about our father.

“We were touched to the core to witness the depth of his commitment, his loving embrace of our father’s music, and the sheer open-hearted joy he brought to his exploration. It breaks our hearts to see any misrepresentations or misunderstandings of his efforts.

“It happens to be true that Leonard Bernstein had a nice, big nose. Bradley chose to use makeup to amplify his resemblance, and we’re perfectly fine with that. We’re also certain that our dad would have been fine with it as well.

“Any strident complaints around this issue strike us above all as disingenuous attempts to bring a successful person down a notch ― a practice we observed all too often perpetrated on our own father.”

Leonard Bernstein pictured in 1971
Leonard Bernstein pictured in 1971

via Associated Press

As well as serving as director, producer and actor in Maestro, Bradley also penned the screenplay, having previously co-written his last directorial effort, the 2018 remake of A Star Is Born.

He is joined in the film by Carey Mulligan, who portrays the actor and activist Felicia Montealegre.

Maestro will receive a limited cinema release in November, before it begins streaming on Netflix on 20 December. Watch the trailer below:

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