Amy Dowden has opened up about the ‘guilt’ of feeling ‘angry and bitter’ after ringing the bell which signalled the end of her cancer treatment, during a speech at an awareness launch. Instead of feeling 'happy and celebrating' like she'd presumed she would, Amy said that 'deep inside I felt angry and bitter.'

The Strictly star was speaking at an event to launch the Keep Ahead disease awareness campaign. It 'aims to raise awareness of the life after breast cancer' or 'beyond the bell', according to a release from Novartis, who are behind the initiative.

'I was a bit naïve and in denial as, once I rang the bell, I honestly thought that that's it,' Amy explained. “I had my life back, but I didn't really anticipate or understand that I had a very long journey of recovery, both physically and mentally to get back to where I was before.'

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*** free for editorial use ***strictly come dancing star amy dowden reflects on her journey post cancer treatment during the launch of the keep ahead campaign funded by novartis pharmaceuticals uk, at future dreams house. now, she embraces a stronger version of herself while preparing for her much anticipated return to the show.
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While Amy was going through her treatment, she said she felt like she was working towards a solution, a purpose which, when it ended, she no longer had: 'You're actively doing something. Then all of a sudden, you face a reality of trying to rebuild a new version of you.”

Instead, when her treatment finished, Amy said she found herself at an 'all time low' and 'was very emotional. I was scared, petrified and thought 'what if I haven't done enough.' She admitted she experienced 'guilt' for feeling that way.

The physical consequences of Amy's treatment and cancer journey meant a long road to recovery. 'I'd had blood clots. I'd had sepsis. I'd broken a bone during chemo," Amy revealed. 'My stamina levels were the lowest they’ve ever been in my life [and] having to start again - that journey to the dance floor - felt like a million miles away.'

However, where Amy is today is a far cry from those first few weeks, following a UK dance tour this year with fellow Strictly star Carlos Gu and filming as a contestant on Celebrity Hunted.

'I took time to really work on myself and to process everything to really get as fit as I possibly could for the gym, physio and dancing,' Amy said. 'I feel like Amy’s back, but actually a newer, stronger version of me and I’m really grateful to be in this position. It’s been a long road of recovery.'