August 23rd 2024.
Amy Dowden, a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, recently opened up about the online abuse she faced after being diagnosed with breast cancer. In her new BBC documentary, she shared the hurtful messages she received and called for harsher punishments for those who engage in online abuse.
When Amy first revealed her health diagnosis last year, she was bombarded with cruel comments from trolls who called her a "narcissist" and an "attention seeker." In her documentary, she reflects on the impact these hurtful words had on her, saying, "It's like putting a nail in a piece of wood. You take the nail out and the wood is scarred forever. It's never the same. And making those nasty comments is doing exactly that."
Amy also shared how she wished these trolls could see the effect their words have on their victims. "I wouldn't want anyone else to receive the messages I did," she said. She even compared online bullying to manslaughter, stating, "When someone is bullying someone online and they take their own life, it's kind of like manslaughter. Is there going to be punishment to stop people doing it? It's awful."
Despite the hurtful comments, Amy remained strong and continued to share updates with her fans throughout her treatment. She even returned to Strictly this year, showing her resilience and determination to not let the abuse bring her down.
In February, Amy received the news that there was "no evidence of disease" after months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. She celebrated this milestone and expressed her gratitude for the support she received from her family, friends, and fans.
Amy hopes that by sharing her story, she can raise awareness about the impact of online abuse and encourage others to seek support if they are facing a similar situation. Her documentary, "Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me," airs on BBC One and iPlayer on Monday at 8pm.
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer, Macmillan can offer support and information. You can contact their helpline or visit their website for more information. And if you have a celebrity story to share, you can reach out to The Agency entertainment team.
No one should have to face online abuse, and Amy's courage in speaking out against it is an important reminder of the impact our words can have. Let's all strive to spread kindness and empathy, both online and offline.
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