Hampshire &amp; Isle of Wight


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/Amy-Dowden_photo-by-steve-ullathorne-1500x1500-1.jpg" alt="Amy Dowden Strictly Come Dancing dancer BBC " class="wp-image-40148" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/Amy-Dowden_photo-by-steve-ullathorne-1500x1500-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/Amy-Dowden_photo-by-steve-ullathorne-1500x1500-1-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/Amy-Dowden_photo-by-steve-ullathorne-1500x1500-1-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/Amy-Dowden_photo-by-steve-ullathorne-1500x1500-1-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/Amy-Dowden_photo-by-steve-ullathorne-1500x1500-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/Amy-Dowden_photo-by-steve-ullathorne-1500x1500-1-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/Amy-Dowden_photo-by-steve-ullathorne-1500x1500-1-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: <em>Strictly&#8217;s </em>Amy Dowden. <em>Steve Ullathorne</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>With sequins, sparkle and a seriously powerful story behind every step, <em>Strictly Come Dancing </em>favourite Amy Dowden MBE is back on the road this summer with fellow pro dancer Carlos Gu for their heartwarming live tour, <em>Reborn</em>. </p>



<p>Packed with dazzling choreography, powerhouse vocals and all the high-energy performance you’d expect, the show tells the deeply personal stories behind Amy and Carlos’ life journeys – from Amy’s emotional return to dancing after cancer treatment to Carlos finding confidence, identity and a fresh start after moving to the UK.</p>



<p>Loved as much by fans for her honesty and resilience as her fierce and <em>fab-u-lous</em> Latin routines, we caught up with Amy to talk TV highlights, dream celeb pairings and why <em>Reborn</em> is no ordinary stage show.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-congratulations-on-being-reconfirmed-for-strictly-2026-what-does-stepping-back-onto-the-ballroom-floor-mean-to-you">Congratulations on being reconfirmed for <em>Strictly</em> 2026. What does stepping back onto the ballroom floor mean to you?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1485" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/Amy-Dowden.jpg" alt="Amy Dowden Strictly Come Dancing 2026 BBC show interview" class="wp-image-40149" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/Amy-Dowden.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/Amy-Dowden-539x800.jpg 539w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/Amy-Dowden-673x1000.jpg 673w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/Amy-Dowden-768x1140.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: BBC, <em>Ray Burmiston</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>It means everything. Dancing has got me through the toughest times and it brings me so much joy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-ve-partnered-with-everyone-from-brian-conley-to-jj-chalmers-and-tom-fletcher-on-strictly-who-s-been-your-favourite-celeb-to-dance-with">You’ve partnered with everyone from Brian Conley to JJ Chalmers and Tom Fletcher on <em>Strictly</em>. Who’s been your favourite celeb to dance with?</h2>



<p>I honestly couldn’t say. It’s been an honour to dance with all of them and I&#8217;ve had so many memorable <em>Strictly</em> moments. Reaching the final with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/karim__zeroual/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Karim</a> [Zeroual] and dancing a jive to <em>You Can&#8217;t Stop the Beat</em> from <em>Hairspray </em>was a real highlight of my time on the show.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-if-you-could-choose-absolutely-anyone-for-your-dream-strictly-partnership-who-would-it-be">If you could choose absolutely anyone for your dream Strictly partnership, who would it be?</h2>



<p>Hugh Jackman – he’s the ultimate showman. Or Prince William. Dancing with our future King. Well, why not?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-said-at-one-point-you-were-ready-to-hang-your-dancing-shoes-up-what-pulled-you-back-from-that-mindset">You said at one point you were ready to “hang your dancing shoes up”. What pulled you back from that mindset?</h2>



<p>In 2024, the cancer treatment and having to pull out of <em>Strictly</em> &#8211; I was at a real low. My husband [pro dancer Ben Jones] and Carlos were so supportive. Going on tour with Carlos has been fantastic, expressing ourselves and our friendship through dance.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-narrative-of-reborn-is-clearly-deeply-personal-for-you-both-at-what-point-did-you-and-carlos-realise-you-wanted-to-tell-your-stories-through-dance">The narrative of <em>Reborn</em> is clearly deeply personal for you both. At what point did you and Carlos realise you wanted to tell your stories through dance?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1336" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/Amy-Dowden_Carlos-Gu_stage.jpg" alt="Amy Dowden and Carlos Gu Strictly pro dancers Reborn stage show" class="wp-image-40150" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/Amy-Dowden_Carlos-Gu_stage.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/Amy-Dowden_Carlos-Gu_stage-800x713.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/Amy-Dowden_Carlos-Gu_stage-1000x891.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/Amy-Dowden_Carlos-Gu_stage-768x684.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: <em>Amy and Carlos Reborn</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>It was actually Carlos who suggested tour. He said to me after my cancer journey: “Amy, this is you, you are reborn.” The show is about his life and journey, too. We’re great friends and we have a really deep connection – you can clearly see it on the dance floor. It really resonates with the audience: the song where I dance through my cancer journey usually gets a standing ovation.</p>



<p>The message of <em>Reborn</em> is that it’s never too late to go back to something you love – or to try something new. I really hope we inspire people watching and leave the audience with big smiles on their faces.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-ve-hinted-at-some-spectacular-costumes-are-you-fully-back-in-your-sequins-era">You’ve hinted at some spectacular costumes. Are you fully back in your sequins era?</h2>



<p>Absolutely – and l love it! The costume designer on <em>Reborn</em> is so talented and he&#8217;s one of my best friends – he came to chemo with me – so it’s really special he’s involved in the show.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carlos-famously-tells-you-if-an-outfit-isn-t-working-who-is-more-brutally-honest-out-of-the-two-of-you">Carlos famously tells you if an outfit isn’t working. Who is more brutally honest out of the two of you?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1355" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/Amy-Dowden_Carlos-Gu_credit-steve-ullathorne.jpg" alt="Amy-Dowden_Carlos-Gu Strictly Reborn " class="wp-image-40151" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/Amy-Dowden_Carlos-Gu_credit-steve-ullathorne.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/Amy-Dowden_Carlos-Gu_credit-steve-ullathorne-590x800.jpg 590w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/Amy-Dowden_Carlos-Gu_credit-steve-ullathorne-738x1000.jpg 738w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/Amy-Dowden_Carlos-Gu_credit-steve-ullathorne-768x1041.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Amy Dowden and Carlos Gu. <em>Steve Ullathorne.</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>Definitely Carlos. He’s got no filter. He’ll totally tell me if something’s not working. Or he’ll just come up to me and fix my hair.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finally-after-everything-what-brings-you-the-most-joy">Finally – after everything – what brings you the most joy?</h2>



<p>Dancing and being back on stage, for sure. Once you’ve had something taken away it means all the more.</p>



<p><em>Amy Dowden&#8217;s new tour, <a href="https://amyandcarlostour.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amy &amp; Carlos Reborn</a>, runs from <strong>29 May-21 June</strong> 2026, including performances in Hampshire at <a href="https://www.anvilarts.org.uk/events/amy-carlos" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Anvil, Basingstoke</a> on <strong>30 May </strong>and <a href="https://trafalgartickets.com/fareham-live-fareham/en-GB/event/dance/amy-dowden-carlos-gu-reborn-tickets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fareham Live</a> on <strong>18 June</strong></em>.</p>



<p>Interview: Heidi Ruge</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-want-more">Want more?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/life-2/people/strictly-kai-widdrington/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Muddy meets Strictly’s Kai Widdrington</a></li>



<li><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/life/people/interview-tv-chef-clodagh-mckenna-cookbook/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TV chef Clodagh McKenna dishes up the kitchen goss</a></li>



<li><a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/life-2/people/author-ava-glass-spy-crime-fiction-author/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A view to a thrill: local author Ava Glass on secrets, spies and storytelling</a></li>
</ul>


Muddy meets Strictly’s Amy Dowden

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