Strictly Come Dancing star issues touching tribute 'you sacrificed everything'
The Strictly Come Dancing star, who is currently gearing up for her comeback to the dance floor along with two new professionals, turned to social media on Friday (August 8) to honour her dad Richard as he marked his birthday and retirement.
The BBC star who has been vocal about her gratitude towards her parents for their unwavering support throughout both her dancing career and her recent breast cancer battle, posted a collection of photographs featuring the duo together.
She began with a beautiful image of Richard standing beside her on her wedding day several years ago when she married fellow dancer, Ben Jones.
Accompanying the post, Amy wrote: "Happy birthday, HAPPY RETIREMENT DAD! I'm so happy you're finally going to get the rest you so deserve! I'm so proud your my dad! Since I can remember you showed us what hard work, dedication, commitment and loyalty to your family truly is.
(Image: INSTAGRAM/AMYDOWDEN)
"Everything you did was for us. I couldn't have had a better role model to look up to. You sacrificed everything and devoted your life to your family. Can't wait to celebrate you! Enjoy a well deserved retirement. Love you like everyone who meets you! See you later dad xxx @richard_dowden."
And the heartfelt messages of love and support quickly poured in, reports the Manchester Evening News.
One person said: "Lovely moments. Happiest birthday and a well-earned retirement to your wonderful dad."
Another fan wrote: "Wonderful photos - Happy Birthday and Retirement day to your Dad."
Someone else commented: "Such lovely photos, your folks look wonderful. Happy Retirement to your dad."
While one person shared: "Lovely photos. Happy Birthday and Retirement to your lovely dad."
Another posted: "Beautiful photos happy birthday and retirement to your Dad." With someone else adding: "Fabulous pictures! Wishing you a very happy retirement day Richard'. Have a lovely time celebrating with your lovely family."
This follows Amy revealing that it has been 'quite the journey' since her cancer diagnosis as she marked two years since beginning treatment for the condition.
The Welsh performer was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, and later underwent a single mastectomy and chemotherapy.
Subsequently, in February 2024, she informed supporters that there was "no evidence of disease" and she battled back to return to Strictly for the 2024 series, where she was paired with JLS star JB Gill.
The duo were progressing well in the contest, but Amy sustained an injury, unconnected to her previous health challenges, to her foot and was forced to pull out of the competition, leaving her devastated.
Now, with the 2025 series of the BBC One dance competition just around the corner, Amy has been spotted in rehearsals alongside her fellow professional dancers, yet she remains constantly reminded of her previous ordeal.
(Image: Nadiya Bychkova Instagram)
Taking to Instagram, she posted a clip from during her treatment two years prior, which had been filmed for her BBC documentary, Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me.
The devastating footage showed the 34-year-old in floods of tears as she reached the hospital to begin her treatment. Accompanying the clip, the Welsh performer penned: "Two years ago today, I've been reminded.
"I'm honestly feeling stronger, happier and HEALTHIER than ever! So grateful and just want to remind those who need - this too shall pass. I'm forever grateful and don't ever take for granted how I'm feeling. This a reminder to live life to the fullest and to remember to check yourself. If you aren't who is going to? Early detection can save lives."
After sharing the footage, Amy uploaded a recent photograph of herself radiating joy during dance rehearsals. Next to the image, she penned: "To now, living my best life in rehearsals.
"Be patient, be kind to yourself, and celebrate all the wins along the way. It's been quite the journey and process to get here and certainly not easy at times but I'm so glad I pushed through and my love for dance is MORE than ever (didn't know that even was possible, but it is!)
Strictly Come Dancing is set to air on BBC One later this year.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
26 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Southern Charm star shocks fans with NAKED hotel snaps after drinking 'half a bottle' of wine
Former Southern Charm personality Jarrett 'JT' Thomas stunned his 61,000 Instagram followers on Monday night as he took to the platform to share racy content. The 39-year-old real estate developer used the app's Stories to brazenly share nude photos taken in his Washington, DC hotel room. The string of images was off to an innocuous start, with the Bravo celebrity sharing a tame mirror selfie snapshot from bed, where his lower half was covered by white sheets. It was soundtracked to Willie Nelson 's tune On the Road Again. He then shared a closeup shot and philosophized, 'The bravery one feels alone, half a bottle of wine deep in a hotel far away from home... I know you all get it. #shameisaflaw.' Viewers were then given a jump scare as Jarrett boldly posted his bare side profile, which he took in the hotel bathroom. Acknowledging the risqué nature of his posts, he wrote, 'Sorry mom & fam lol.' But before he wrapped up his time on the app for the night, he wanted to share a video diary. 'Alright, it's time to go to bed. Clearly I've had enough wine and um, thank you guys for all the support and the DMs and yeah, I'm cancelling myself. Goodnight,' Jarrett said before laughing and flashing a peace sign. The next day he had no regrets as he shared a clothed selfie while out and about. Last November the television star abruptly exited Southern Charm while the season was still filming. After two seasons on the reality show, he took to Instagram to announce his departure. According to an account from Page Six, he wrote, 'It comes with a heavy heart to share that I have resigned from Southern Charm. 'Yesterday I informed Bravo that I will not be participating in the 2-3 remaining green room interviews remaining before szn [sic] airs 12/5 (I've done about ~9 thus far leading up to today) and that I no longer wish to participate in any ways moving forward with the TV show.' The 39-year-old real estate developer used the app's Stories to brazenly share nude photos taken in his hotel room. The string of images was off to an innocuous start, with the Bravo celebrity sharing a tame selfie snapshot from bed, where his lower half was covered by white sheets At the time, Jarrett did not give much context as he added he would 'leave it at that for now' before sharing his intention to 'recover both physically and mentally from what has been an extremely challenging & exhausting year.' He first appeared on the series in season nine, during which he had friction with castmate Austen Kroll, culminating in a physical altercation in the finale. A season 10 trailer later teased him at odds with Madison LeCroy after it was revealed he called her a 'b*tch' behind her back. The star now appears to be focused on exercise, cooking, and his real estate endeavors. His Instagram profile reads, 'Book my Airbnbs and/or Event Space,' and includes a link to '@theinns.'
Daily Mail
29 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Julianne Moore, 64, ditches Hollywood glamour as she posts rare makeup-free selfie
Julianne Moore was effortlessly radiant as she posted a rare makeup-free selfie to Instagram on Tuesday. The 64-year-old Oscar winner - who recently whisked herself away for an Italian getaway with her family - shared the photo with fans while reflecting on special moments from the month of August thus far. The mom-of-two flashed a cheerful smile as she sported a plunging, black bikini top while spending time outdoors. Julianne also opted to showcase her glowing skin to her 2.7 million followers while taking in a scenic sunset. Another image was taken of a wooden deck that was surrounded by trees and tall grass as water stretched out in the distance. The blue sky was covered with wispy clouds that had hues of orange and pink as the evening sun began to set. The Oscar winner jumped to her main Instagram page on Tuesday to share special moments from the month of August thus far; seen in May in NYC The May December actress indulged in a tasty meal that comprised of fresh tomatoes, basil and mozzarella cheese. Julianne's dog Hope also celebrated turning one year older and the Hollywood star included a slide dedicated to the adorable pup. Both she and her husband Bart Freundlich adopted the lab mix back in 2020 from Gimme Shelter Animal Rescue. Lastly, the star showed her Wordle score to her fans and simply captioned the Instagram carousel with, 'August.' Julianne has previously opened up about beauty and offered her thoughts on the phrase 'aging gracefully.' During a past interview with As If Magazine in 2021, she said, 'There's so much judgement inherent in the term "aging gracefully." Is there an ungraceful way to age? 'We don't have an option, of course. No one has an option about aging, so it's not a positive or a negative thing, it just is.' In regards to aging, the actress explained that it is 'part of the human condition, so why are we always talking about it as if it is something that we have control over?' She added that growing older should instead be focused on 'challenging ourselves' and to 'learn new things.' 'How do we continue to evolve? How do we navigate life to have even deeper experiences?' Julianne further expressed. And while talking to Glamour, the Sirens star stated that she felt 'makeup is something that you should want to wear, but you shouldn't feel like you have to. 'I think it's an antiquated idea, this idea that we put makeup on to cover something up, to cover up our flaws, or to look professional. You can be professional without makeup. Makeup should be a want, not a need.' She later reflected, 'That's the biggest change that I think we've had in the beauty industry…is that you do it for yourself, not because you feel that you have to.' During an interview with Vogue in 2023, Julianne gave insight into her skincare routine - which comprises of Cetaphil cleanser, SPF, serums and eye cream. And when it comes to the application of makeup, the mom-of-two explained that she doesn't 'like a lot of coverage; I like to be able to see the freckles in my skin and color in my skin as well.' Julianne has been keeping busy during the summer season and recently enjoyed an Italian trip with her husband Bart as well as their two children Liv, 27, and Caleb, 23. The actress and her loved ones were spotted taking a dip in the cool water in the city of Grosseto. Julianne sported a black, one-piece swimsuit while her mini-me daughter donned a shimmering gold bikini. She additionally shared a few memorable pictures to her Instagram page from the family vacation, including her two kids posing together. Another showed Liv and Caleb pausing for a snap with their dad Bart - whom Julianne tied the knot with in 2003. The actress also recently made an appearance in the Netflix limited series titled Sirens - alongside other cast members such as Meghann Fahy, Milly Alcock, Kevin Bacon and Glenn Howerton. The premise is: 'Worried about her sister's too-close relationship with her billionaire boss, a scrappy everywoman seeks answers at a lavish seaside estate,' per an official synopsis. The show has garnered critical praise since its release on the streaming site back in May. Sirens also recently raked in Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for Meghann and also Outstanding Directing. A couple months earlier in June, Julianne also hinted at a possible move to the U.K. - after other Hollywood celebrities have left the U.S. following Donald Trump's presidential win late last year in November. During an appearance on Capital Breakfast with her Echo Valley co-star Sydney Sweeney, the Still Alice actress explained how she has a British passport due to her mother being from Scotland. When asked if she could 'see herself' residing in the U.K. full-time, Julianne replied, 'I can actually, my husband and I have talked about that sometimes. It could be kind of fun. 'I've worked here a lot and I'm really comfortable here. I've been working here, gosh, probably since the nineties...' Other stars that have moved out of the United States since Trump's second term began in the White House include Rosie O'Donnell, Eva Longoria and Ellen DeGeneres.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Alex Kingston makes first Strictly statement as Doctor Who star confirmed for BBC show
Alex Kingston has shared with her fans some of her dancing moves after the BBC confirmed that the Doctor Who actress will join the cast for this year's Strictly Come Dancing. Posting a video of herself practicing some footwork on Monday (11 August), the 62-year-old actor sung the show's theme tune before looking at the camera and saying: "Strictly… just dancing.' In the post's caption, she wrote: 'Hello sweeties… Spoilers are out! I'm getting ready to shake my hips all the way to a glitter ball trophy. Strictly 2025 here I come!!' Kingston was the second celebrity announced as part of the this year's cast for the hit dancing show, which returns to screens Autumn 2025.
