Dowden confirmed the decision was made after consulting her medical team, clarifying it is not for a new cancer diagnosis.
She was initially diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023.
On the spin-off show It Takes Two, Dowden reflected on her Strictly career, stating that dancing with McFly’s Tom Fletcher had saved her life.
She also spoke about her return to the show after treatment, wearing a hot pink dress to represent breast cancer, a moment host Janette Manrara found very moving.
