Strictly Come Dancing’s Amy Dowden took to Instagram to send “love and strength” after a fellow breast cancer survivor and avid campaigner, Sophie Busson, tragically died from the cruel disease on Saturday. The BBC star reshared a stunning photo of the late 39-year-old, which included a post from her family announcing her death.

In the caption, a heartbroken Amy wrote: “Sending so much love and strength to your twin, your husband, boys, family and friends. Fly high, darling, thank you for all you did and will continue to do for the breast cancer and cancer community.” The Strictly star, 34, who was diagnosed with the disease in 2023 and later told there was "no evidence of disease” last year, reshared another moving post to honour Sophie which included photos from her childhood, alongside her twin sister Stephanie.

The dancer penned: “Thinking of these gorgeous twins. The news has hit me hard as can relate so much. Sending love to all, but especially Steph! (sic)."

A heartbreaking statement was posted on Sophie’s Instagram account and announced: “The time we hoped would never come, arrived last night with our beautiful Sophie passing away peacefully.vShe had us both by her side until the end and we take comfort in knowing how much she was loved. She was an absolute fighter until her final breath.

Her loved ones added: “We are absolutely heartbroken but she will always be with us forever in our hearts. All our love, Gareth, Steph and her boys.”

Sophie was 31 years old when she was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer, just 16 months after her wedding.

But five years after being declared cancer-free and undergoing intense treatment, she was once again told the cancer had returned.

In March 2023, Sophie was diagnosed with secondary, inoperable stage four metastatic breast cancer and started a new course of treatment.

That year, the Welsh native told WalesOnline: “I was devastated to hear that my cancer had returned, although I wasn’t overly surprised given that I was told I was at a high risk of reoccurrence.

“But when I hit five years cancer-free, I really thought I had a chance of it not coming back.

“It’s been really difficult taking the news of this new diagnosis, but I am slowly coming to terms with things and luckily, up to now, I have kept fairly well on my new treatment. I am hopeful that treatment will do its thing and keep me around for as long as possible.”