Caerphilly Observer
Member Sign in | Become a Member - no adverts Manage My Membership | Log out
Menu
  • News
    • Business
    • Opinion
  • Sport
    • Rugby union
    • Football
  • Membership & Subscriptions
  • Notices
  • Advertise
  • About
  • Sponsored Content
Menu

Strictly star opens up on Crohn’s disease battle in TV documentary

News | Rhys Williams | Published: 15:32, Thursday October 15th, 2020.
Last updated: 15:32, Thursday October 15th, 2020

Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £3 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden
Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden opens up about her battle with Crohn’s disease in a television documentary set to air tonight.

The documentary will air on BBC One Wales at 9pm tonight (Thursday, October 15).

The documentary sees Amy, from Caerphilly, look at the stigma surrounding Crohn’s, and follows her experiences of the living with the condition.

Crohn’s disease is a lifelong condition which affects the digestive system, and usually begins in childhood or early adulthood.

Amy, 30, said: “Although thousands of people in the UK suffer from Crohn’s and colitis, they are conditions that the general public don’t know too much about and medical professionals are still learning about.

“I was quite nervous to share my story and I think some viewers who know me from Strictly will be quite shocked by how much Crohn’s can affect me, but I think it’s really important for people to understand what Crohn’s means and what sufferers have to go through.”

Amy added: “In making this film I have met some truly inspiring people who haven’t let their conditions affect them and also learnt so much more about the disease.

Sign up to our daily newsletter


“No one likes to talk about their bowels or digestive system but hopefully by normalising the conversation we can improve our understanding of this illness. 

“Crohn’s remains a chronic illness for which there is currently no cure, but I hope this film gives people the confidence to talk about these issues, believe that they can overcome their health obstacles and achieve their dreams.”

Amy was selected to star in Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, and has been one of the professional dancers on the show since.

During this time, she has partnered comedian Brian Conley, Red Dwarf actor Danny John-Jules and actor and presenter Karim Zeroual.

Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £3 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts.

Become a member today

BBC

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Latest News

  • Help wanted in library vandalism caseFriday, June 9, 2023
  • Damage at Attlee Road playground, Blackwood
    Playground set on fire and vandalised during school holidaysFriday, June 9, 2023
  • Photography exhibition shows Wales’ mining legacy and lasting community impactFriday, June 9, 2023
  • Gerwyn Price and Johnny Clayton have won the World Cup of Darts for Wales
    Price and Clayton to start World Cup in second round as Wales seededFriday, June 9, 2023
  • Ffiliffest is held in Caerphilly every year
    Get ready for a celebration of Welsh culture as Ffiliffest returnsFriday, June 9, 2023
  • New images showing how the new 'Ffos Caerffili' could look
    Three developments set to be decided by council planning committeeFriday, June 9, 2023
© 2009-2022 Caerphilly Media Ltd, Britannia House, Caerphilly Business Park, Van Road, Caerphilly, CF83 3GG. Incorporated in Wales No. 07604006.