Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has apologised to fans after "being quiet" on social media as she shared some tragic news. The 35-year-old Welsh star took to Instagram to share a collection of snaps with her and her best friend, Bex, as she explained what had happened in a heartbreaking message.

Amy began: "I've been a little quiet. On Friday, I got a call from my darling friend Bex's mum, Anne, to tell me that Bex had a blood clot on her brain. I still can't quite find the words or make sense of it. How something like this can happen to someone so fit, so healthy, so kind... a truly good soul." She continued the heartfelt message, describing her dear friend as "the kindest person." The dancer said: "Always putting others before herself. Even in the end, she was giving, an organ donor helping others right until the very end.

"She had just given birth to her perfect baby boy the day before, completing her beautiful family with her little girl 3 and her true love, Sean."

Reflecting on happier times, Amy added: "I feel so lucky to have had her in my life. My voicemails are full of her, and I'll treasure them forever. So many memories I'll hold close... being Blackpool roommates, sleepovers with Anne telling us to get some sleep while we giggled, sharing a room on my hen when I realised you were pregnant and we couldn't contain the excitement.

"Calming me down before my first day of Strictly rehearsals and you drove to see me and go through everything, making an 8-hour round trip to visit me during chemo and coming to hospital apts, Ben and I doing the beep test and numerous blood count tests for your uni assignment, and looking after us with physio between the rounds that night we won Blackpool.

"What I loved most were our random, overdue phone catch-ups, where I always knew I'd never be judged, only supported and understood.

"My sister said earlier how at Blackpool you were always more worried about me than your own dancing. That was you. Always selfless. Always thinking of others."

She ended her note with a vow to her friend, saying: "Bex, I'll keep you close always. I promise to look out for your darling mum, dad, Sean, and your beautiful babies. Love you dearly, my angel. xxxx"

Amy's co-star, Dianne Buswell, was among the first to send her some love. "So sorry Amy sending you all love," she wrote.

The images showed that Bex was by Amy's side in many key life moments. One picture was from her hen do as Bex planted a kiss on her cheek.

Another snap was of Amy in her wedding dress as the pair celebrated her big day.