Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden has announced the death of her first dance teacher, Philip Perry, in an emotional Instagram post on Friday. Perry, whom she described as her "dancing hero" and "like a second dad," passed away on Friday. His death came just one day before Dowden's scheduled return to the dance floor for Saturday's finale.
The Welsh dancer shared the devastating news with her 728,000 Instagram followers. Philip Perry ran the Shappelles dance school in Caerphilly with his wife Carol and guided Dowden throughout her entire career. He died on Carol's birthday.
Dowden wrote: "Yesterday we lost my dancing hero, like a second dad to me! You both have been like parents to me. Philip, my first-ever dance teacher, guided me through my entire career."
She revealed a deeply personal memory from her teenage years. "I wrote Phil a letter when I was a teenager to tell him he gave me my wings to fly. He mentioned it in his speech at my wedding and told me how much it meant to him last week," Dowden shared in her Instagram tribute.
Personal memories and legacy
The dancer reflected on cherished moments with Perry and his wife Carol. She recalled Christmas Day 2021, "where we cried belly laughing all together," and dress shopping with Carol, "where we dragged you to every shop."
Dowden acknowledged Perry's profound impact on Welsh dance culture: "Dancing in Wales would not exist without you both! You created, impacted so much and changed so many lives."
She expressed particular heartache for Carol. "My heart is aching so much for Carol losing her true love on her birthday, but I see it now as the date belongs to Phil's story too, and his life was you through and through," she wrote.
Dancing through grief
Despite her loss, Dowden confirmed she will perform at Saturday night's Strictly finale. "Phil, I'll be dancing for you tomorrow night and always. Your Amy xxxxx," she concluded her tribute.
The loss adds to a difficult year for Dowden. Doctors diagnosed her with breast cancer in 2023 and she underwent a second mastectomy last month. She returned to the BBC show in September 2024 after tests revealed "no evidence of disease" in February last year.
Dowden's followers rushed to send support. One commented: "So sorry, Amy." Another wrote: "Sorry for your loss, Amy…sending you and those you love positivity and love."
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
![Generał Nowak: Najtrudniejsze lata Sił Powietrznych [WYWIAD]](https://cdn.defence24.pl/2025/12/19/1200xpx/XccA9Mq0kFncN4o8T16LhDlpu1lTGnS0IQPGuxIy.mgrx.png)
