Strictly's Amy Dowden left heartbroken as she's given sad news about close friend

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has been left devastated by the death of a cancer campaigner. Sophie Busson was a charity worker from Wales who twice battled cancer.

Over the weekend, Sophie's heartbroken family announced that she had lost her battle against the disease and died at the age of 39. Strictly star Amy, 34, herself battled breast cancer in recent years - revealing in May 2023 that she had been diagnosed with grade III breast cancer.

After undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, the TV star was told in February 2024 she was told that her latest check up showed "no sign of the disease", although she wouldn't get an "all clear" for five years. Amy was among those shocked and saddened by the news of Sophie's death, and took to Instagram Stories on Sunday to share her condolences.

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Sharing a link to a message shared by Sophie's family, Amy wrote: "Sending so much love and strength to your twin, your husband, boys, family and friends. Fly high, darling, thank you for all you did and will continue to do for the breast cancer and cancer community."

The Strictly star shared a second message about Sophie, reposting a link to a montage of photos to her Stories. Amy wrote: "Thinking of these gorgeous twins. The news has hit me hard as can relate so much. Sending love to all, but especially Steph."

Earlier, Sophie's family had posted a black and white image of her with the dates 1986 - 2025 written across the image. A moving message was added to the post, explaining that Sophie had lost her life.

Her family wrote: “The time we hoped would never come, arrived last night with our beautiful Sophie passing away peacefully.

"She had us both by her side until the end and we take comfort in knowing how much she was loved. She was an absolute fighter until her final breath."

Her loved ones added: “We are absolutely heartbroken but she will always be with us forever in our hearts. All our love, Gareth, Steph and her boys.”

The Express reports that Sophie was first diagnosed with stage four breast cancer at the age of 31 - and 16 months after her wedding. She had been declared cancer-free after undergoing intense treatment - but tragically the disease returned five years later.

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She revealed in 2023 that secondary, inoperable stage four metastatic breast cancer and gave updated online as she embraced a new course of treatment.

In 2023, Sophie told WalesOnline: “I was devastated to hear that my cancer had returned, although I wasn’t overly surprised given that I was told I was at a high risk of reoccurrence. But when I hit five years cancer-free, I really thought I had a chance of it not coming back.

“It’s been really difficult taking the news of this new diagnosis, but I am slowly coming to terms with things and luckily, up to now, I have kept fairly well on my new treatment. I am hopeful that treatment will do its thing and keep me around for as long as possible.”

Following news of her death, many followers took to the comments section of her family's Instagram post to share messages of condolence - with one writing: "Sending you all so much love. What a beautiful soul who radiated light always. My heart is with you all."

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