Strictly Star Amy Dowden Details Early Health Ordeal and Family’s Legal Threat Before Crohn’s Diagnosis

Update 1 · 4th October 2026

Strictly Star Amy Dowden Details Early Health Ordeal and Family's Legal Threat Before Crohn's Diagnosis

Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden has opened up about the agonizing medical ordeal she faced as a teenager before finally securing a diagnosis for Crohn's disease. Speaking on The Lewis Nicholls Show podcast, the 36-year-old dancer recalled the overwhelming frustration experienced by her family while seeking answers for debilitating symptoms that began during her childhood.

Prior to her diagnosis, Dowden suffered from intense pain, fatigue, sickness, and recurring hospital stays. She recounted one appointment where a doctor dismissed her ailments and wrongly assumed she was suffering from an eating disorder due to her slender frame.

The Mirror reportedly quoted Amy Dowden (Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer, speaking on The Lewis Nicholls Show podcast) as saying: “I can remember my mum burst into tears in that appointment and I was so ill, I was just in shock and I just wanted answers. And then my mum said, 'well, if that's what you think, you need to treat her for that then, she needs help', and they didn't.”.

Father's Intervention and Transfer to London

The situation reached a critical point when Dowden was 19 years old and spent six continuous weeks in hospital without receiving a clear diagnosis or effective treatment plan. Her father, Richard Dowden, intervened after being called to the facility in the middle of the night.

Faced with his daughter's deteriorating condition, Richard informed medical staff that the family intended to seek legal advice due to the lack of progress. Following his confrontation, Dowden was transferred to UCL London, where a consultant quickly identified her symptoms as characteristic of Crohn's disease.

The Mirror reportedly quoted Amy Dowden (Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer, speaking on The Lewis Nicholls Show podcast) as saying: “My parents and I were just so upset because we didn't feel like doctors were listening to us. I think they saw a skinny dancer and thought, 'she's anorexic', and actually, I do eat, that wasn't the issue at all.”.

Resilience in the Ballroom

Securing the diagnosis allowed Dowden to access necessary treatments and surgery, clearing the path for her to pursue her dream of becoming a professional dancer. She noted that managing Crohn's built a mental resilience that later helped her navigate her 2023 breast cancer diagnosis, subsequent treatments, chemotherapy, and a second preventative mastectomy in November 2025.

A total score of 17 earned from judges for a Baywatch-themed Cha Cha performance alongside celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton on Strictly Come Dancing..

Currently showing no evidence of disease, Dowden continues to compete on the BBC flagship show while managing her chronic condition.

• Amy Dowden experienced severe chronic health issues from childhood that were initially misdiagnosed as an eating disorder.
• Her father threatened legal action after she spent six weeks in hospital at age 19 without receiving a diagnosis.
• A transfer to UCL London led to her Crohn's disease diagnosis, which enabled her to receive proper care and build a professional career.