Strictly star Amy Dowden revealed in an emotional statement that she's determined to 'keep pushing' on as she continues to recover from a foot injury, which forced her to pull out of the show.

After undergoing treatment for stage 3 breast cancer last year, Amy, 34, was unable to participate in the show as she recovered from chemotherapy. 

And this year, the professional dancer made a triumphant return to the BBC ballroom with JLS singer JB Gill, 37.  However, it was sadly announced last week that the dancer would be withdrawing from the competition due to the injury. 

Revealing that she's now focused on her recovery, Amy said in her statement: 'One year on and I'm determined to keep pushing this next year!' 

'Thank you to everyone who messaged this past week, it truly means everything! I'd be lying if I said I'm ok, but I know I will be and I'm lucky to have so many loved ones around me! 2025 sounds like an even better year ay.' 

Since stepping back from the 20th-anniversary series, Amy has been focusing on her recovery and previously mentioned that her doctors are optimistic she will be able to dance again by December.  

Now, she has given fans a glimpse of her rest and recovery process in a series of Instagram stories. The star could be seen engaging in various exercises at a gym as she focused on her healing journey. 

In one video, she's seen beaming at the camera while working out on an exercise bike. 'Thank you @physios2u And @xfmerryhill for your amazing space allowing us to help and lush with my recovery,' she penned alongside the post. 

In another clip, Amy is seen lifting a kettlebell as she shares her aspirations for the future. 

She captioned the footage: 'Some of todays exercises! I'm determined! Don't get bitter get better! Those dreams certainly aren't fading away and I'll always continue to work hard to be the best version of myself.' 

The heartfelt post comes after Amy struggled to contain her emotions as she admitted she is 'heartbroken' to have had to pull out of the show and feels she has let her partner JB down.

Appearing on Lorraine last week, the Welsh dancer fought back tears as she confessed: 'I am heartbroken I will do my best not to cry. I am gutted it has ended this way I feel I have let JB down.' 

Revealing the poignant reason she really wanted to perform last weekend, Amy explained that Saturday marked a year to the day that she rang the bell after completing her chemotherapy treatment. 

She told Lorraine: 'Saturday 9 November marks a year since I rang the chemotherapy bell. We were going to do a carnival dance and it was going to be amazing.' 

She added: 'Saturday is going to be tough because I really wanted to be dancing on that floor and showing myself how far I had come in one year. 

'When I got my diagnosis that was my goal and that was my dream to get back on the dancefloor.'

Amy has had to withdraw from the competition due to an insufficiency fracture on her foot, an injury which is unrelated to the foot she broke earlier this year. 

After being advised to spend a couple of weeks resting with no impact, she assured viewers at the time: 'I am feeling good, I am hoping to dance by the end of the series. I am determined.' 

'I have had a lot of setbacks in my life and I just tell myself don't get bitter get better. This will pass but I am heartbroken right now.'

'I've got to remember the glitterball for me was there being no sign of disease and getting back on the dancefloor.' 

While Amy takes time out to rest, JB will continue the competition with Lauren Oakley with whom he performed with two weeks ago. 

Elsewhere, the first two contestants of Strictly's Christmas spin-off have been revealed, with Josh Widdicombe and Ru Paul's Drag Race UK star Tayce being the first celebrities confirmed in the run to the silver star trophy.