Strictly Come Dancing: Dudley dancer Amy waltzes back on to show
A Dudley dancer will return to Strictly Come Dancing as part of the biggest line-up of professionals ever.
Amy Dowden, aged 27, is one of eighteen professional dancers who have been selected to perform with star partners in the sixteenth series of the hit show.
She was selected to return to the show after joining for the first time last season when she was paired up with comedian, actor and television presenter Brian Conley where they got to the fifth week.
The dancer, originally from Wales, said: "I am really excited for the show, I cannot wait to start again.
"Last year was so much fun and I learned so much. I made some lifelong friends including Brian Conley. It was great fun to work with him and we are still in touch.
"I am always nervous for the show but the day you are not nervous is the day you should hang up your shoes. It is a surreal experience, I am always nervous for my partner each week too.
"We got to the fifth week but hopefully we can do better this year. I just have to wait and see who my new partner is when the new line-up is released."
She has been dancing since she was eight-years-old and decided to pursue dance as a career when she was 18-years-old. She went on to be the 2017 British National Champion, is a four-time British National Finalist and reached the semi-final of the World Championship in 2015.
She runs a dance academy in Dudley called Art in Motion which is located at Thornleigh Trading Estate.
She added: "The children are amazing and are saving up the pennies so they can vote.
"I want to encourage children to reach for their dreams because nothing is impossible."
Three new dancers were announced including Italian Latin Champion Graziano Di Prima, Professional South African Latin Champion Johannes Radebe and four-time winner of the Italian Dance Championship Luba Mushtuk.
The BBC One show will return in Autumn.
