Professional dancer Amy Dowden has opened up on the 'dark times' she has suffered out of the Strictly spotlight.
The 31-year-old, who is known for her bright smile, has privately battled Crohn's disease.
The illness causes an inflammation of the lining of the digestive system.
And the star said that her stint on the hit BBC show has gotten her through some rough patches.
But the dancer still lives in fear that one day the disease could take her passion from dancing away from her.
Amy, who is partnered this year with paralympian JJ Chalmers, has been hospitalised over 100 times with the disease, reports the Mirror.
In a candid BBC documentary this year, Amy opened up about how Strictly has been "more than a dance show" to her through the years.
She first appeared on Strictly since 2017, when she was paired with comedian Brian Conley, and last year was a runner-up with partner Karim Zeroual.
"Strictly has been more than a dance show to me, it got me through the darkest times of my illness," she said. "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."
In the documentary, Amy was seen rushed to hospital after vomiting and passing out during a Strictly tour.
Amy said: "I can't think of how many times I've been in hospital. It's got to be at least over 100 times. When I was 18 or 19 it was every month at least for a week."
She added: "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."
Strictly Come Dancing returns next Saturday on BBC One
