Strictly star Amy Dowden, 30, reveals she has been viciously trolled for getting the Covid vaccine

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‘I can’t please everybody!’ Strictly star Amy Dowden, 30, reveals she has been viciously trolled for getting the Covid vaccine despite being open about having Crohn’s disease

By Jason Chester for MailOnline

Published: | Updated:

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has been attacked by social media trolls after receiving her first dose of the coronavirus vaccine.

The ballroom professional, 30, had been placed on a vulnerable list for the vaccine because she suffers from Crohn’s disease – a painful inflammatory condition that affects the bowel.

But Amy – who has been hospitalised more than 100 times with the illness and previously filmed her treatment in a BBC documentary – has still been criticised for leapfrogging others in her age group.

Abuse: Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has been attacked by social media trolls after receiving her first dose of the coronavirus vaccine

Appearing remotely on Morning Live, she told host Gethin Jones: ‘I guess if you are going to out a post like that out you are going to get some political views. 

‘I was sad because I was trying to put out a positive post that hopefully there is light at the end of the tunnel.’ 

She added: ‘I don’t want to be in the vulnerable category, I didn’t choose to have Crohn’s and I would do anything not to and I wanted to hopefully show positivity that more of us are getting vaccinated the more of us that hopefully that soon things can slowly get back to normal.

Opening up: The Welsh dancer discussed her online criticism while appearing remotely on BBC show Morning Live

Opening up: The Welsh dancer discussed her online criticism while appearing remotely on BBC show Morning Live 

‘Unfortunately, you know, I can’t please everybody.’

Fellow guest Dr Rupy Aujla agreed that Amy’s placement on the vulnerable list was a necessity – and  completely out of her control. 

He said: ‘I mean you deal with inflammatory bowel disease every single day and I don’t think people see that necessarily online, they just see someone who is younger and, you know … fit. .. and gets the vaccine before everyone else so I think there is nuance to something like that and it’s unfortunate you get those.’ 

Here we go: Amy is best known for her appearances on BBC celebrity talent show Strictly Come Dancing

Here we go: Amy is best known for her appearances on BBC celebrity talent show Strictly Come Dancing  

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 

 

The Welsh dancer previously reflected on her health battle and how it has had an effect on her profession during an appearance on Morning Live in December. 

When asked by co-hosts Kym Marsh and Gethin Jones how the chronic illness made her determined to pursue her career, she began: ‘Oh absolutely. So I suffered since I was 11-years-old, I wasn’t diagnosed until I was 19.

‘But when I was 19 I was hospitalised for 6 weeks at one time and I missed out on the British Championships. And I knew what it was like to have my dancing taken away from me, and yeah I think that I wanted to prove I can do this.

Battle: She filmed her hospitalisation with the illness at the height of the COVID-19 lockdown

Battle: She filmed her hospitalisation with the illness at the height of the COVID-19 lockdown

‘My dancing for me was my saviour, it put me in my happy place and in the end it took me away from my worries.

‘When people told me “oh I don’t think you’re going to be able to make it” or I was turned down some fabulous opportunities for dancing because of my Crohn’s I was like “How dare they? They’re not living in my body.”

‘And I think it kind of made me more determined to do this, and no one’s gonna take away my biggest passion in life.’ 

Let's talk:  The Welsh dancer previously reflected on her health battle and how it has had an effect on her profession during an appearance on Morning Live in December

Let’s talk:  The Welsh dancer previously reflected on her health battle and how it has had an effect on her profession during an appearance on Morning Live in December

Amy also explained how the chronic illness affects her body. 

She added: ‘Crohn’s disease is inflammation to the digestive system, it can start at the mouth and it can affect the entire colon.

‘It can cause narrowing to the intestine, ulcers, inflammation,and everybody has different symptoms, and unfortunately it’s a chronic illness so at the moment there’s no cure.’ 

In October Amy discussed her ongoing battle with Crohn’s disease in the BBC film in Strictly Amy: Crohn’s And Me. 

She said: ‘Strictly has been more than a dance show to me, it got me through the darkest times of my illness. For me it was a big inspiration to keep me dancing.

‘Dancing has pulled me through my Crohn’s but it’s a battle. I live in fear that what I love the most could be taken away. And I’ve been more ill this year than I have been in a long time.’