Amy Dowden, the professional dancer from Strictly Come Dancing, has shared the heartbreaking news that her close friend Bex has died after suffering a blood clot on the brain. The 35-year-old took to social media this weekend to announce the devastating loss, just one day after Bex gave birth to a baby boy.
In a poignant post accompanied by a series of photographs capturing their friendship over the years, Dowden wrote: 'I've been a little quiet. On Friday, I got a call from my darling friend Bex's mum, Anne, to tell me that Bex had a blood clot on her brain. I still can't quite find the words or make sense of it. How something like this can happen to someone so fit, so healthy, so kind…a truly good soul.'
She continued: 'Bex was the kindest person, always putting others before herself. Even in the end, she was giving, an organ donor helping others right until the very end.'
The dancer explained that Bex had just given birth to a healthy baby boy the day before her passing, completing her family alongside her three-year-old daughter and her husband, Sean. 'She had just given birth to her perfect baby boy the day before, completing her beautiful family with her little girl 3 and her true love, Sean,' Amy wrote.
Reflecting on their friendship, Dowden revealed that her phone is now filled with treasured voicemails from Bex. She listed cherished memories, including being roommates in Blackpool, sharing a room during her hen do where she discovered Bex was pregnant, and the comfort Bex provided before Dowden's first day of Strictly rehearsals. 'You drove to see me and go through everything, making an 8-hour round trip to visit me during chemo and coming to hospital apts,' she recalled.
Amy also highlighted Bex's selflessness, noting how her sister observed that at Blackpool, Bex was always more concerned about Amy's dancing than her own. 'That was you. Always selfless. Always thinking of others,' she added. Concluding her tribute, Dowden promised to look after Bex's family and wrote: 'Bex, I'll keep you close always. I promise to look out for your darling mum, dad, Sean, and your beautiful babies. Love you dearly, my angel. Xxxx'
Amy Dowden's Health Journey
The tragic loss comes as Dowden has been navigating her own health challenges. In May 2023, she publicly announced her diagnosis of grade 3 breast cancer, discovered a month earlier, just before her honeymoon with husband Ben Jones. She underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy, forcing her to sit out the 2023 season of Strictly. By February 2024, she was declared cancer-free.
Returning to the dance floor in 2024, she was paired with JLS star JB Gill but collapsed after a live show and was rushed to hospital. A subsequent foot injury forced her withdrawal from that season. She recovered in time for the 2025 series but was eliminated early after being paired with controversial celebrity Thomas Skinner.
Future Ambitions
Despite setbacks, Dowden remains determined. Speaking to Metro earlier this year, she expressed her desire to return to Strictly. 'If I'm asked back, I'd love to get to Blackpool on Strictly to prove to myself that I'm back to where I was before cancer,' she said. She also shared aspirations to enjoy her tenth year on the show, pursue presenting, and eventually join the judging panel. 'I'd be a nice Strictly judge: fair, honest and sympathetic,' she added.
