18-05-2025
Strictly pro on the dance stars of tomorrow and being ‘adopted' by the Black Country
A WORLD-class dancer, advocate and a sweetheart of the nation – Amy Dowden is used to gracing silver screens across the country every Saturday Night.
However, the Welsh-born Strictly Come Dancing pro is gearing up for an extra-special performance in what she called her 'adoptive hometown', one that is dedicated to a cause close to her heart and will feature budding performers who are even closer.
Amy, along with her dancer partner and fellow Strictly pro, Carlos Gu, will dazzle Dudley Town Hall next week in a one-off performance in aid of Copafeel!, the breast cancer awareness charity that she credits with 'saving her life'.
Amy said: 'I was trekking for Copafeel! with Giovana Fletcher when I started practising what I was preaching and checking my chest regularly.
'I made it my mission to consistently check, and six months later, I was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer.'
All of the show's ticket sale profits will be going to Copafeel! (Image: Drew Tommons) Amy has been open about her battle with the disease, using her platform to advocate for breast cancer awareness ever since.
She was given the all-clear in February 2024, but her advocacy did not end with her treatment.
Joining Amy and Carlos for their special Dudley performance will be the dance stars of tomorrow from schools across the West Midlands, including Art in Motion, the dance school Amy co-owns in Cradley Heath with her husband, Ben Jones.
'I have to say, I'm more nervous for them than myself and Carlos!', Amy said. 'It's just magic to watch them on the stage.
'Home grown talent is no other and I love sharing the stage with them – they inspire me.
'They will just be coming back from a big competition in Blackpool, so the vibes and energy will be great.
'They are the local future Strictly stars!'
As well as Art in Motion, students from Dudley's Bailey Ariyah Academy of Dance, Birmingham's Sorella Academy of Dance in and Wolverhampton's Marilyn Harris School of Dance (MHSOD) will be accompanying Amy and Carlos.
The duo will be performing five routines themselves, with an array of styles and costumes promising an unforgettable performance.
Amy said: 'We [me and Carlos] have a meeting on Tuesday to finalise everything. I'm so excited to bring him to Dudley.
'I really feel like the Midlands – well the Black Country in particular- has adopted me.
'I competed at Dudley Town Hall myself back in the day, and it's a lovely venue.'
Amy shared how she and Ben, who is from Dudley, enjoy exploring the many local beauty spots across the West Midlands and feels as though she has 'another hometown', having lived in the region for several years now.
She gushed about the 'excellent' team and community at Art in Motion, saying they, along with the other local dance schools, will be who make this night 'special'.
'Dance schools are special places where people can express themselves and feel safe,' Amy said. 'We're like one big family [at Art in Motion].
'They are spectacular and Thursday night will be a true celebration of local talent and dance.'
Amy and Carlos will be tearing up the dance floor at the town hall on Thursday, May 22, with all of the funds raised from the show's ticket sales being donated to CoppaFeel! – the charity dedicated to educating young people about how to check their chests for signs and symptoms of breast cancer.
