Amy Dowden

Amy Dowden Biography

Amy Dowden is a renowned Welsh professional ballroom and Latin American dancer, best known for her prominent role on the BBC One television show Strictly Come Dancing since 2017. She gained widespread recognition as the first Welsh professional dancer on the show and notably reached the final in 2019 with TV presenter Karim Zeroual. Alongside her husband and dance partner Ben Jones, she became British National Latin Dance Champion and remains one of the UK’s highest-ranking professional dancers in her field.

Childhood

Amy Dowden was born on August 10, 1990, in Caerphilly, Wales. She grew up with a twin sister and an older brother. Amy’s passion for dance began early, at the age of eight, after attending a Saturday morning dance class where she instantly fell in love with the art. Her dedication to dance grew as she competed in various championships from a young age.

Education

Amy committed to dancing full-time after completing her A-levels. She invested heavily in her training, often working multiple jobs to afford lessons and travel to learn from top dance teachers, including trips to Los Angeles. Though detailed formal academic education is less emphasized in her public biography, her extensive professional training and experience in dance have been instrumental in her career success.

Career

Amy Dowden’s professional dance career includes numerous championships and accolades, such as becoming British Open Latin Dance Champion alongside Ben Jones in 2017, British Dance Federation Champions, and multiple Welsh and English champions titles. Since joining Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, she has partnered with several celebrities and remains a fan favorite for her passion and storytelling through dance. Beyond performing, Amy co-runs the Art in Motion Dance Academy with her husband and remains dedicated to teaching and mentoring aspiring dancers.

Family Life

Amy is married to Ben Jones, her professional dance partner. The couple shares a deep personal and professional bond, running a dance school together. Amy has openly shared her health struggles, including her cancer diagnosis, which has impacted her family planning. Despite treatment-related menopause, Amy and Ben have preserved five embryos with hopes of starting a family when it is safe to do so.

Achievements

Amy Dowden has many notable achievements, including being the first Welsh professional on Strictly Come Dancing and British National Latin Dance Champion with Ben Jones. She is a four-time British National Finalist, a World Championship semi-finalist, and holds a Guinness World Record for the most back-Charleston kick-steps in 30 seconds. In recognition of her charitable work and raising awareness for Crohn’s disease and breast cancer, she was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2024 Birthday Honours.

Controversies

Amy Dowden has largely maintained a positive public image, but in 2025, some Strictly Come Dancing fans expressed frustration over her pairing with celebrity contestant Thomas Skinner, whose controversial political associations sparked debate. Despite this, Amy's professionalism and popularity helped maintain her reputation amid the controversy. Her more significant challenges have come from her health battles rather than public scandals.

Amy Dowden Summary

Amy Dowden is a passionate and accomplished Welsh dancer who rose to fame on Strictly Come Dancing. Known for her competitive success and inspiring personal story, including her openness about Crohn's disease and breast cancer, she remains a significant figure in dance and health advocacy. Her family life with husband Ben Jones and commitment to teaching dance complement her public career. Honored with an MBE for her awareness and fundraising efforts, Amy Dowden exemplifies resilience and dedication both on and off the dance floor.