Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden was forced to withdraw from the 2023 series of the BBC show after being diagnosed with cancer, and her fellow Strictly co-star Carlos Gu has been supporting her throughout.
Strictly Come Dancing pro Carlos Gu was visibly moved to tears as he gave praise to his BBC co-star Amy Dowden during their appearance on Loose Women this week.
The pair, who are gearing up for their joint tour Reborn, spoke about the significance of the show's title ahead of their performance at the M&S Bank Arena on March 29.
Amy shared that the name Reborn reflects her personal battle with cancer and Carlos' fresh start in the UK. She elaborated: "Carlos came up with the name of Reborn, and something we've both been through the last few years, obviously my cancer journey.."
She continued to reveal how the UK has embraced Carlos, allowing him to be open about his sexuality and true to himself. Carlos, in turn, expressed deep gratitude for Amy's support since his move from China, reports the Liverpool Echo.
He said: "[Amy] was so good to me, a Chinese boy who travelled all the way from China and into a completely new environment! She was helping me with a bit of everything, how to do so and so, how to find the cameras, she looked after me so well."
Overcome with emotion, Carlos couldn't contain his tears as he talked about Amy's incredible resilience in the face of her illness. Choking back tears, he said: "Amy is the person that I've met who has so much passion for dancing.
"I know that was the only thing that could support her and get her through. She needs dancing, she needs Strictly and she needs to be alive and to feel herself again."
Amy Dowden recently opened up about the incredible support she received from her Strictly co-star Carlos after her cancer diagnosis in 2023. Reflecting on their bond, she shared: "We were kind of inseparable on Strictly and then I was diagnosed with cancer and Carlos was there for me every step of the way."
She recalled a poignant moment with Carlos, saying: "I remember calling [Carlos] when I just shaved my hair and you wanted to shave your hair straight away... I was like, 'No, you're just starting Strictly, like, literally, you've just been partnered with Angela!' He was there for me, my family. He's become one of the Dowdens."
The 34-year-old dancer expressed how "devastated" she felt having to withdraw from the previous season of Strictly due to her health. However, Amy is now filled with optimism, having successfully completed the Strictly tour.
She enthused: "I finished the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour last night, and I was so proud of myself, being able to do 10 shows a week, because I wasn't sure my body was ever going to be capable of it."
Amy also spoke about her recovery journey, adding: "Every day after chemo, you start feeling strong and better but it wasn't really until December I was like, 'Oh yeah, this is what it feels like to have your energy and your strength back,' And I'm just so proud of how far I've come, and only in the last few weeks."
Despite her outward confidence, Amy confessed to struggling with self-doubt, often finding solace at Carlos' home. She added: "I look confident, but I've really not been... I've spent most nights crying at your [Carlos] house, saying, 'My body feels different, my dancing's not as good, I don't look or feel the same', But actually, I really feel like Amy again, and I'm so proud of how far I've come."
Amy spoke candidly about her aspirations to become a parent, revealing aspects of her IVF experience by saying: "I had a hormone cancer so I have been put into early menopause and it would be too dangerous now [to fall pregnant], but I really want to be a mum, I've always wanted to be a mum.
"We do have five embryos, I hope one day, if it's safe to do so, I do get the privilege and honour to be someone's mummy."
Loose Women continues weekdays on ITV from 12:30pm.
