The professional dancer shared the exciting update with her followers

Amy Dowden first joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2017(Image: Amy Dowden on Instagram)

Strictly Come Dancing’s Amy Dowden shared how “grateful” she is as the dancer has been confirmed as a returning professional for this year’s series.

On Friday (11th April) the BBC confirmed that Strictly will be returning to our screens this Autumn with a fresh set of celebrity faces hoping to take home the Glitterball.

Last year, comedian Chris McCausland became the first blind contestant and after an emotional performance to You’ll Never Walk Alone, he won alongside professional partner Dianne Buswell.

With viewers favourite professionals returning for Strictly’s 21st year, the BBC have teased that there will also be two new professional dancers joining the line-up, with more to be confirmed closer to the show.

Taking to her Instagram, Amy Dowden celebrated the news as she wrote: “So grateful to be back on the best show on TV for my 9th year with my strictly family. @bbcstrictly

“This show means everything to me, through the highs and my all time lows, it truly got me through my toughest of times. The show is pure magic and good for the soul. I’m feeling stronger than ever.

“The countdown begins to be back in the rehearsal room with my strictly family. Who else is counting down the days? Keep dancing! Welsh love”.

Amy was excited to be confirmed for another year(Image: Amy Dowden on Instagram)

Amy also took to her story where she added: “I’m bacccckkkkkk… Feeling stronger than ever and counting down the days until Strictly’s 21st birthday”.

Fans were also ecstatic, as @amydcwden commented: “the best news!!! so so proud of you and I can’t wait to be cheering you on for your 9th year” and @megbeth_xx added: “THE BEST NEWS EVER!!!!!! I cannot wait for another year supporting you on my favourite show on tv”.

Friend and Strictly co-star Carlos Gu wrote: “2025 sounds amazing , you will be shine !!! Love you xx”. Carlos and Amy began their own headline tour, titled Reborn, last month as they travel across the country.

Amy had to leave the competition after only a few weeks due to a leg injury that saw Lauren Oakley partner with JLS singer JB Gill instead.

Amy was partnered with JB Gill last year before she had to leave the competition(Image: BBC)

Speaking of her injury, Amy previously shared: “Absolutely gutted and heartbroken, as this means the plans for me to dance in the Strictly ballroom this year are no longer possible. This is what has kept me going the past few months.”

She was also unable to participate in the 2023 series of Strictly following her diagnosis, having found a lump in her breast the day before her honeymoon with her husband, Benjamin Jones.