Strictly's Amy chats chemotherapy with King as she receives honour

Strictly Come Dancing's Amy Dowden has spoken about the "impact of chemotherapy" with King Charles as she was honoured at Buckingham Palace.

The 34-year-old from Caerphilly, who has Crohn's disease, was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to fundraising and raising awareness of inflammatory bowel disease.

Dowden, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, described being presented with the honour by the King as being like an "out-of-body experience".

"We spoke about my recovery from chemotherapy and the impact of chemotherapy on my body," she said.

Dowden learned of her cancer diagnosis after returning from her honeymoon with husband Ben Jones.

In the BBC documentary Strictly Amy: Cancer And Me, she revealed that she had frozen some embryos.

The Royal Family has also publicly shared their cancer experiences, with Buckingham Palace announcing last year that the King has been treated for cancer while Catherine, the Princess of Wales revealed she was in remission from the disease in January after undergoing chemotherapy.

Before her cancer diagnosis, Dowden revealed in 2019 that she was living with Crohn's disease and spoke about her struggles with the condition in BBC documentary, Strictly Amy: Crohn's And Me.

Three years later, she was admitted to hospital in Manchester following a Crohn's flare-up while on the Strictly live tour.

Dowden said being presented with her MBE "hasn't sunk in yet", adding that she was determined to continue her awareness and fundraising work for Crohn's and colitis.

Speaking after the ceremony on Tuesday, Dowden said: "It's really surreal, it's been like an out-of-body experience but it is a true honour to get an MBE and I will forever do what I can to raise awareness and fundraise for Crohn's and colitis, and Crohn's & Colitis UK charity, and also, recently as well for breast cancer - getting as many people as I possibly can to check themselves as earlier detection saves lives.

"It's an incredible honour, and one that still hasn't sunk in yet."

Asked what she was most proud of in her career, Dowden said she still could not believe she had become a British champion dancer with her now-husband.

She said that, in addition to being the first ever Welsh professional dancer to join Strictly Come Dancing, "I'm also super proud of my documentaries I've made for Crohn's disease and breast cancer, and raising awareness and, obviously, getting an MBE".

Marianne Radcliffe, chief executive of charity Crohn's & Colitis UK, said the dancer had helped "normalise conversations" about the conditions with her openness and honesty.

"People never used to talk about Crohn's or colitis, but Amy has really helped to normalise conversations about these conditions by being open and honest, and adding some of her trademark sparkle," she said.

Ms Radcliffe said that every year 25,000 people in the UK were told they had inflammatory bowel disease, and there would be many who felt less afraid about what lay ahead because of Amy Dowden's work.

"She has inspired so many with her determination and considerable achievements and we are proud to have Amy as a Crohn's & Colitis UK ambassador," she added.

Composer Sir John Rutter said it was "very special" to receive a knighthood from King Charles at the ceremony on Tuesday because the King was a "music lover".

Sir John, who is also a conductor, editor and arranger, was honoured for services to music.

The musician is best known for his choral compositions, including Christmas carols, anthems and extended works such as the Gloria, the Requiem and the Magnificat.

He has previously had works commissioned for major royal events including Queen Elizabeth II's golden jubilee, the wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales in 2011 and the coronation of King Charles III.