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Strictly Come Dancing viewers were moved to tears as Amy Dowden made her return to the show’s dance floor during this year’s final on Saturday. 

The professional dancer, 33, was diagnosed with breast cancer in May, and underwent a mastectomy in July, taking this year off from the show while she underwent treatment.

While she has made appearances on the programme and its spin-off It Takes Two, she had not danced with her fellow professionals before the final.

But on Saturday she took to the dance floor once again, opting to go without a wig having lost her hair following her chemotherapy.

The moment left viewers feeling emotional, with many taking to Twitter to express their joy at seeing her on screen.

Strictly Come Dancing viewers were moved to tears as Amy Dowden made her return to the show's dance floor during this year's final on Saturday

Strictly Come Dancing viewers were moved to tears as Amy Dowden made her return to the show’s dance floor during this year’s final on Saturday

The professional dancer, 33, was diagnosed with breast cancer in May, and underwent a mastectomy in July, taking this year off from the show while she underwent treatment

The professional dancer, 33, was diagnosed with breast cancer in May, and underwent a mastectomy in July, taking this year off from the show while she underwent treatment

One viewer wrote: ‘Tearing up at seeing Amy Dowden dancing in the #StrictlyFinal Let’s have her back on #strictly soon!’

Someone else shared: ‘That Amy Dowden reveal was a MOMENT.’

‘@AmyDowden is dancing!!! Oh my gosh that’s so good to see. Leaky eyes moment,’ shared another viewer.

While someone else posted: ‘OMG #Strictly A minute in and bawling seeing gorgeous #AmyDowden dancing.’

Another show fan commented: ‘Amy Dowden dancing without a wig is the energy everyone needs.’

While someone else shared: ‘Great to see Amy Dowden in the opening routine!!’ 

Amy bowed out of this year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing as she underwent a course of chemotherapy, which she completed in November.

However, earlier this week, the star appeared on ITV’s This Morning where she admitted that her cancer journey is far from over. 

While she has made appearances on the programme and its spin-off It Takes Two , she had not danced with her fellow professionals before the final

While she has made appearances on the programme and its spin-off It Takes Two , she had not danced with her fellow professionals before the final

The moment left viewers feeling emotional, with many taking to Twitter to express their joy at seeing her on screen

The moment left viewers feeling emotional, with many taking to Twitter to express their joy at seeing her on screen

The chemo caused neuropathy, meaning she temporarily lost feeling in her hands and feet, causing her to land on her foot at a strange angle and break her metatarsal.

And just weeks after breaking her foot, Amy was rushed to hospital after suffering another health blow.

The professional dancer was diagnosed with a blood clot on her lung but is now thankfully recovering well with the help of blood thinning injections.

Amy explained: ‘I’m taking every day as it comes. I though once I rang that bell I would be fine but it’s not been like that, I find it mentally a lot tougher now. The journey isn’t over yet.

‘I’ve had what I love the most taken away from me and I just find that so cruel.’ 

As Women’s Health UK’s December cover star, Amy spoke about the life-changing ordeal she has faced since her cancer diagnosis in May.

The dancer insisted: ‘I just want to be treated as normal. When I’m walking outside and I’ve got my headscarf on, I don’t want looks of sympathy or feeling sorry for me – I’m Amy.

‘Sometimes, people don’t know how to address it. Just ask how I am – I will answer you.  We don’t want you to feel sorry for us. We’re embracing it. Stand strong with us…Don’t give me that pity look – I don’t need it!’

Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer in May, and underwent a mastectomy in July

Last month Amy shared the sad news that she had broken her foot just days after ringing the bell when she completed her chemotherapy treatment

Last month Amy shared the sad news that she had broken her foot just days after ringing the bell when she completed her chemotherapy treatment

Speaking of her husband and former dance partner Ben Jones – who has been there from the start with her Crohn’s diagnosis – she added: ‘Nothing will ever break us now!’

Ellie Leach became the youngest winner of Strictly Come Dancing with her professional dance partner Vito Coppola on Saturday

The 22-year-old TV star beat two other couples – Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell, and Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin.

Upon winning the glitterball trophy, the former Coronation Street star said: ‘I actually, genuinely cannot believe this.’

‘For once, you’re crying more than me,’ she told Vito.

She added: ‘This is for you, this is for you.’

Talking about their win, Vito said: ‘I mean this is like the cherry on the cake.’

He turned to Ellie: ‘You have been so amazing, you are Strictly, you represent Strictly. You are finally, you know, the diamond I was talking (about).’

Strictly Come Dancing ‘s Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola have been crowned winners following Saturday’s nail-bitting final

The former Coronation Street actress, 22, pipped Bobby Brazier and Layton Williams to the post each couple performed three dances for the judges

Strictly 2023 Final: The Leaderboard

Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin 

Favourite Dance – Argentine Tango to Tattoo by Loreen -(10+10+10+10) = 40 

Show Dance – Friend Like Me by Ne-Yo – (9+10+10+10) = 39

Judges’ Pick – Quickstep to Puttin’ On The Ritz by Gregory Porter – (10+10+10+10) = 40 

Total: 119 

Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola

Favourite Dance – American Smooth to Ain’t That A Kick In The Head by Robbie Williams – (10+10+10+10) = 40 

Show Dance – Jennifer Lopez Megamix – (9+9+9+9) = 36 

Judges’ Pick – Paso Doble to Insomnia by 2WEI – (9+10+10+10) = 39

Total: 115  

Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell

Favourite Dance – Couple’s Choice to This Woman’s Work by Maxwell – (9+10+10+10) = 39 

Show Dance – La La Land Medley – (9+10+10+10) = 39

Judges’ Pick – Samba to Young Hearts Run Free by Candi Staton – (9+10+10+10) = 39

Total: 117

Strictly Come Dancing 2023 kicked off in September, hosted once again by Tess Daly (right) and Claudia Winkleman (left) (pictured during the final on Saturday)

Strictly Come Dancing 2023 kicked off in September, hosted once again by Tess Daly (right) and Claudia Winkleman (left) (pictured during the final on Saturday)

Judges (L-R) Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood returned for this year's series

Judges (L-R) Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood returned for this year’s series

The winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2023 was decided by the public.

On the judges’ scoreboard, provided as a guideline, Layton and Nikita had been in the lead with a total of 119 points.

Second to them was Bobby and Dianne who had received 117 points, and they were followed by Ellie and Vito with 115 – who cinched the trophy with the help of the public.

Ellie and Vito’s first performance of the night was their dramatic paso doble to Insomnia by 2WEI, as chosen for them by the judges.

Head judge Shirley Ballas told the Ellie: ‘You, my dear, are the only lady standing and let me tell you, you came down those stairs, you worked that dress, the whole ensemble… was spot on.

‘I have to say, that was a woman in control.’

Anton Du Beke added: ‘I love this’, and Craig Revel Horwood said the dance ‘was absolutely fantastic’.

Strictly Come Dancing 's Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola shared an emotional moment during the final on Saturday after she suffered a blunder during their second routine on the show

Strictly Come Dancing ‘s Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola shared an emotional moment during the final on Saturday after she suffered a blunder during their second routine on the show

Ellie and Vito attempted to execute a number of lifts as they performed their show dance to a Jennifer Lopez megamix

Ellie and Vito attempted to execute a number of lifts as they performed their show dance to a Jennifer Lopez megamix 

For their show dance, the couple performed a Jennifer Lopez megamix and Ellie was praised for taking a ‘risk’ with a lift that she was unable to execute.

Craig told Ellie: ‘It’s a terrible shame with the last lift because really that whole dance routine was just flawless up until that moment.

‘That’s the sort of beauty of live television, I think, and proving that taking a risk can or can’t work out for you.’

Their third and final performance, which they chose from their back catalogue of performances, was the American smooth to the song Ain’t That A Kick In The Head in the style of Robbie Williams.

After the dance, Anton said he was ‘getting emotional’ before he told the soap star he was proud of her.

During the show, Bobby and Dianne performed their couple’s choice for the show dance, which was dedicated to the star’s mother Jade Goody, who passed away from cervical cancer in 2009.

Strictly Come Dancing 's Bobby Brazier 's emotional tribute dance to his late mother Jade Goody left his father Jeff and brother Freddie sobbing during Saturday's final

Strictly Come Dancing ‘s Bobby Brazier ‘s emotional tribute dance to his late mother Jade Goody left his father Jeff and brother Freddie sobbing during Saturday’s final

His father, TV presenter Jeff, 44 (centre), single-handedly raised him and younger brother Freddie, 19 (left), with the pair both shedding some tears as they watched on from the audience

His father, TV presenter Jeff, 44 (centre), single-handedly raised him and younger brother Freddie, 19 (left), with the pair both shedding some tears as they watched on from the audience

Actor Bobby was only five when Jade, who rose to fame on Big Brother in 2002, died of cervical cancer on Mother's Day in March 2009

Actor Bobby was only five when Jade, who rose to fame on Big Brother in 2002, died of cervical cancer on Mother’s Day in March 2009

The dance, which left the actor’s father Jeff Brazier in tears, was described as ‘extraordinarily beautiful’ by Shirley.

Other highlights included Layton and Nikita’s quickstep to Puttin’ On The Ritz, which was the first dance to be awarded full marks from the judges during the series’ live final.

The series’ only same-sex couple had also been awarded full marks for their Argentine tango to Tattoo by Loreen.

Last year, wildlife cameraman and presenter Hamza Yassin and professional dancer Jowita Przystal won the glitterball trophy.

STRICTLY COME DANCING 2023: THE CONTESTANTS’ PROFILES

Layton Williams

Age: 28

Profession: Actor

Layton says: ‘Absolutely buzzing to confirm that I will be taking part in THE most iconic dance competition in the UK! It’s time to bring it to the Ballroom. So excited to learn new skills from the best. Bring on the sequins… ALL the sequins!’

Age: 22

Profession:  Coronation Street star

Ellie says: ‘It still doesn’t feel real that I’m going to be doing Strictly!! It’s always been a dream of mine so I guess dreams really do come true!!!!’

Age: 20

Profession:  EastEnders star and model 

Bobby says: ‘I’m so excited to be part of the Strictly line up, I can’t wait to start training like a professional dancer and adding a few moves to my locker. I’m looking forward to performing in-front of everyone.’

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This post first appeared on Daily mail