Strictly's Amy Dowden 'suffering' behind-the-scenes ahead of return after cancer battle

Amy Dowden, a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing has admitted she is struggling with her confidence before making her return to the hit BBC competition.

The 34-year-old was diagnosed with grade three breast cancer after she discovered a lump in her breast just before she was due to go on her honeymoon.

She had recently married the love of her life and was looking forward to starting a family. Just six days after her diagnosis, Amy, originally from Caerphilly in South Wales, bravely decided to allow cameras to document her journey, regardless of what the upcoming months might bring.

The dancer told Good Housekeeping UK that, immediately after her diagnosis, she turned to her sister, Rebcecca, for support. Amy said that her sister convinced her to have a single mastectomy, followed by eight sessions of chemotherapy and admitted she was "so glad" she listened to her.

After making a surprise appearance on Strictly last year, bravely ditching her wig in the process, Amy was finally able to ring the bell on November 8 to signify the end of her chemotherapy treatment.

However, the star has said she still requires ongoing treatment and admitted she is "struggling" with a number of issues before making her Strictly return.

She said: "I still need monthly injections for the next five years, so I don't have the all-clear yet, but I'm just so thankful to be able to get back to some form of normality and return to Strictly this year.

"I know it's going to be tough on my body, and I've been suffering with confidence issues because I put on weight during my treatment and haven't been dancing like the other pros have.

"But it's a huge comfort knowing I'll have Rebecca, Ben and my family cheering me on. If I've learned anything over the past couple of years, it's to grab life by the horns."

Strictly will return to screens later this year with 18 professional dancers taking to the floor this season. The celebrity pairings are yet to be announced meaning former England midfielder Paul Merson, presenter Nick Knowles and TV personality Pete Wicks could all be partnering Amy this year.

The British national champion will be joined by fellow pros Nikita Kuzmin, Kai Widdrington and Katya Jones all hoping to take home the famous glitterball trophy. Amy said she would "love to win Strictly" but said she also wanted to travel with Rebecca and start a family with her husband Ben.

She said: "My motto in life is 'get better, not bitter' - and I intend to live by that every day."