Amy Dowden has insisted that Strictly Come Dancing's recent scandals won't tarnish the show as it returns for its 20th anniversary.
The professional dancer, 34, is set to return to the show for the upcoming series after missing last year's due to her diagnosis of breast cancer.
Strictly's anniversary years has been tainted amid probes into the behaviour of two professionals, Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, but Amy has insisted that the show will survive.
'I think it says everything when I'm fighting for my life with a cancer diagnosis and I'm just dreaming about getting back on the show,' Amy told MailOnline after being asked if the probes have tarnished the glitter ball's glittering reputation.
'I can't tell you how amazing, on and off the dance floor, the welfare I've received [has been], the love I've had from the pros, celebrities, so no.'
The sentiment was echoed by fellow pro Carlos Gu, who joined Amy at the National Television Awards on Wednesday - where Strictly triumphed as best Talent Show.
Amy looked sensational for the evening as she donned a striking fuchsia pink figure-hugging gown, complete with a bold black spike attachment.
Meanwhile Carlos opted for an eccentric ensemble as he layered a huge red ruffled skirt over a black vest and grey baggy trousers.
Defending the show, Carlos said: 'An experience I had with my partner Angela Scanlon last year, we are soulmates.
'We went on holiday together, I was babysitting her kid. And with Molly, she's like my sister.'
'It's just love you know,' he continued. 'It's so lucky genuinely, you've met somebody out of nowhere and you've been put together and you have great energy. You love each other. I mean what more can you do?'
'And it says something when it's the 20th year of Strictly,' Amy added.
She was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May 2023 and in what became the toughest year of her life, underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy, fertility treatment and also almost died of sepsis. 
But after being told in February that there was 'no evidence of disease', Amy is set to make her return to the ballroom for the upcoming season of Strictly.
'It's insane,' she said. 'It's surreal still and I'm just super grateful that I got another shot at life.
'I'm feeling really good. I've been preparing my body for this, lots of physio, rehab and yeah I think I did pretty well 'over the summer with all the group numbers.'
Asked about the atmosphere on the upcoming series, Carlos said: 'Oh wait until you see the group numbers, they are so much bigger, better, everything.'
Amy revealed that the celebrities have been working very hard as they prepare for the new series - and confirmed she has been getting along well with her partner.
Despite its year plagued with scandals and controversy, Strictly scooped the prize for Talent Show at the National Television Awards on Wednesday night. 
Amid fears for the show's future over accusations of abuse aimed at professional dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, the BBC show beat out Britain's Got Talent, The Great British Bake Off, MasterChef and The Voice to take one of the night's big prizes.
The NTAs are voted for by the public, with the win for Strictly a clear sign that viewers are still rooting for the show as it prepares to return for its 20th series on Saturday night.
Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman were joined on stage by the show's professional dancers and the creative team as they accepted the gong at London's O2 Arena on Wednesday.
The presenting duo singled out the show's 'wonderful' team as they gushed that the win 'meant everything.'
Elsewhere at Wednesday's NTAs, Claudia missed out on the best TV Presenter gong — which went to Ant and Dec. However, the iconic presenter did win the gong for best Reality Competition for BBC's The Traitors.
Meanwhile, judge Anton Du Beke also lost out as he was beaten in the Expert category by broadcasting legend David Attenborough.
