Strictly’s Amy Dowden reveals she was hospitalised after ‘nasty flare-up’

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‘My Crohn’s doesn’t like lockdown’: Strictly’s Amy Dowden says her health has worsened as she reveals she was hospitalised after ‘nasty flare-up’

By Rianne Addo For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

Amy Dowden has revealed she was hospitalised last week following a ‘nasty flare-up’ amid her battle with Crohn’s disease. 

In a new interview, the Strictly Come Dancing professional, 30, admitted her health has worsened as she hasn’t been ‘as active’ during the coronavirus pandemic, insisting: ”My Crohn’s doesn’t like lockdown.’

The ballroom expert said: ‘I struggle with my health as well, with lockdown, my Crohn’s doesn’t like lockdown and unfortunately, I was admitted into hospital last Friday with a nasty flare-up.’

‘My Crohn’s doesn’t like lockdown’: Amy Dowden has revealed she was hospitalised last week following a ‘nasty flare-up’ amid her battle with Crohn’s disease (pictured last month)

TV star Amy described her experience in isolation as ‘really tough’ as she explained: ‘I think there are ups and downs, aren’t there? 

‘I think my body is so used to being on the go and energetic, moving from one place to another place, to dancing all day, to teaching, to then being stuck at home, I’m not physically as active.

‘Even though I’m trying to keep busy, I’m not burning my energy levels half as much as I used to.’ 

The media personality credited dance for helping her cope with the global crisis as she added on Getting Personal with Daphne Bugler and Isabella Hobbs podcast: ‘I just try and stay as positive and as motivated as possible.

'I struggle': In a new interview, the Strictly star, 30, admitted her health has worsened as she hasn't been 'as active' during the pandemic (pictured with JJ Chalmers in November 2020)

‘I struggle’: In a new interview, the Strictly star, 30, admitted her health has worsened as she hasn’t been ‘as active’ during the pandemic (pictured with JJ Chalmers in November 2020)

'This is a different world': The Welsh beauty was previously hospitalised during the first lockdown, which took place months before Strictly (pictured last Spring following a flare-up)

‘This is a different world’: The Welsh beauty was previously hospitalised during the first lockdown, which took place months before Strictly (pictured last Spring following a flare-up)

”The last lockdown I was lucky to be busy with Strictly, in our world it didn’t feel like lockdown wasn’t happening. 

‘I’m so used to being such a busy bee at my dance academy and on tour. I’m a social bee as well. I write lots of things in my diary that I try to tick off.’

The Welsh beauty was previously hospitalised at the height of the first COVID-19 lockdown, which took place months before the latest Strictly series.  

Amy, who competed on the show with Invictus Games’ JJ Chalmers, went into detail about living with the long-term condition, which causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive system. 

'I think there are ups and downs, aren't there?' TV star Amy described her experience in isolation as 'really tough' (pictured last year)

‘I think there are ups and downs, aren’t there?’ TV star Amy described her experience in isolation as ‘really tough’ (pictured last year)

In BBC film Strictly Amy: Crohn’s And Me, the Latin American dancer said: ‘To the public watching me with all our make-up, fake tan, glitz, glamour and spotlights, it’s a different world. I don’t think they could ever imagine this could be me the next day.

‘I knew things weren’t right but your body goes: “Right you’ve got to get through this, you don’t want to let anyone down, you can do this.” And you can just push yourself through anything.’

She first experienced symptoms at 11, eight years before she was diagnosed at the age of 19. 

For support with the disease contact Crohn’s and Colitis UK charity on 0300 222 5700 or visit www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk 

What is Crohn’s disease?

Crohn’s disease is a long-term condition that causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive system.

Inflammation most commonly occurs in the last section of the small or large intestine but it can affect any part of the digestive system. 

Common symptoms can include:

  • diarrhoea
  • abdominal pain
  • fatigue (extreme tiredness)
  • unintended weight loss
  • blood and mucus in your faeces (stools)

Remission occurs when people with the disease go long periods of time without symptoms however these periods can be followed by flare ups of symptoms.  

Why it happens

The exact cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown. However, research suggests a combination of factors may be responsible. These include:

genetics – genes you inherit from your parents may increase your risk of developing Crohn’s disease

the immune system – the inflammation may be caused by a problem with the immune system that causes it to attack healthy bacteria in the gut

previous infection – a previous infection may trigger an abnormal response from the immune system

smoking – smokers with Crohn’s disease usually have more severe symptoms than non-smokers

environmental factors – Crohn’s disease is most common in westernised countries such as the UK, and least common in poorer parts of the world such as Africa, which suggests the environment has a part to play 

Source: NHS