Strictly Come Dancing’s George Clarke broke down after dedicating his performance on Saturday’s show to his beloved mum amid her battle with cancer.
The YouTube star, 25, took to the dance-floor with pro partner Alexis Warr for an emotional Rhumba, leaving fans at home and head judge Shirley Ballas in tears.
Overcome with emotion George was watched from the audience by his mum and dad Sean as he described the routine as a ‘love letter’ to his family ahead of next week’s Blackpool special.
Speaking in his pre-recorded VT a tearful George recalled how his mother had spent years battling Encephalitis, a condition that causes brain inflammation, before being diagnosed with cancer.
‘She’s the most selfless person, that I have ever met, the first thing she did when she came out of hospital was apologise to us for what she has put us through’.
He continued: ‘Nobody deserves to be put through what she has been through and least of all her’.
Strictly Come Dancing’s George Clarke broke down after dedicating his performance on Saturday’s show to his beloved mum amid her battle with cancer
Overcome with emotion George was watched from the audience by his mum and dad Sean as he described the routine as a ‘love letter’ to his family
Taking to X fans gushed: ‘ ‘Happy to spot George’s mum among the crowd’: ‘George’s story about his mum got me emotional sending so much love to her and him the dance was beautiful and I love that song’: ‘Wow, had no idea George’s mum has cancer. That will come as a shock to his fans. Hope this dance is beautiful’.
Despite emotion the judges were quick to point out George’s lack of technicality and the routine eventually scored 30 out of 40.
The influencer previously opened up about his mother’s terrifying Encephalitis battle, which left her unable to recognise him.
Encephalitis is an uncommon but serious condition in which the brain becomes inflamed and can result in confusion and memory loss.
Recalling his mum collapsing he said: ‘I saw her being wheeled out, and she didn’t recognise me,” That summer was filled with hospital visits as she relearned who we were. She even called me “Fat Boy” for a while!’.
Taking to TikTok to bring awareness to the condition he revealed his mum had been given just a 20% change of survival: ‘She lost long-term memories, her sense of taste and smell, and her sense of direction’
The YouTube star, 25, took to the dance-floor with pro partner Alexis Warr for an emotional Rhumba, leaving fans at home and head judge Shirley Ballas in tears
Speaking in his VT a tearful George recalled how his mother had spent years battling Encephalitis, a condition that causes brain inflammation, before being diagnosed with cancer
He said: ‘She’s the most selfless person, that I have ever met, the first thing she did when she came out of hospital was apologise to us for what she has put us through’
George’s dad is Sean Clarke, the managing director of Aardman Animations – the studio behind British institution Wallace and Gromit
Taking to X fans gushed: ‘ ‘Happy to spot George’s mum among the crowd’: ‘George’s story about his mum got me emotional’
George’s dad is Sean Clarke, the managing director of Aardman Animations – the studio behind British institution Wallace and Gromit.
Starting out at the company in 1998, George’s dad Sean worked his way up, co-producing Early Man and the two Shaun The Sheep movies – and in 2019 was announced as the new boss of the whole operation.
Kicking off Saturday’s show EastEnders’ Balvinder Sopal and pro partner Julian Caillon took to the floor with an American Smooth which the judges branded ‘safe’.
After impressing last week with her Bollywood inspired routine the soap star’s latest performance scored a middle of the road 27 out of 40.
Then it was the turn of Love Island’s Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin took to the dance-floor with a racy Paso Doble that scored a whopping 38 out of 40.
The routine left judge Anton Du Beke blushing and ‘very very excited’, while famously hard to please Craig Revel Horwood decalred the pair as ‘full of fire’ and ‘brilliant’.
Just a day after Amber set the record straight on her close bond with Nikita, he gushed describing her as a ‘lovely person’ and a ‘wonderful student’.
They were followed by Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe with a ‘romantic and elegant’ Waltz, which also impressed the judges who scored them 35 out of 40.
Motsi Mabuse gushed: ‘I love this partnership, I just love to watch you dance’.
Then it was Vicky Pattinson’s turn with a jive, just a week after she and partner Kai Widdrington topped the leaderboard.
But despite their best efforts the routine was described by the judges as ‘not her best but not her worst’ and landed middle of the pack with 27 out of 40.
Kicking off Saturday’s show EastEnders ‘ Balvinder Sopal and pro partner Julian Caillon took to the floor with an American Smooth which the judges branded ‘safe’
EastEnders ‘ Balvinder Sopal and pro partner Julian Caillon kicked off the show with American Smooth which the judges branded ‘safe’
Later Proud pro Carol Gu later broke down in tears after his and Lioness Karen Carney’s American Smooth scored 31 out of 40.
He explained how the traditional ballroom routine was out of the athlete’s ‘comfort zone’ and despite a back injury she still managed to pull through for the performance.
It comes following the news that four Strictly Come Dancing finalists will be returning to the dance floor for a group dance in Blackpool next week.
The exciting news was announced during Thursday’s episode of the sister show It Takes Two.
Ashley Roberts, 44 – who is best known for being part of the Pussycat Dolls – will be back on the dance floor to show off her moves.
Soap star Danny Mac, 37, The Wanted singer Jay McGuiness, 35, and actor Layton Williams, 31, are all set to team up with the Strictly pros once again to revisit some of the most iconic dances that have appeared on the show.
Next Love Island’s Amber Davies Nikita Kuzmin took to the dance-floor with a racy Paso Doble, that left judge Anton Du Beke blushing and ‘very very excited’
Just a day Amber set the record straight on her close bond with Nikita , he gushed describing her as a ‘lovely person’ and a ‘wonderful student’
They were followed by Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe with a ‘romantic and elegant’ Waltz, which also impressed the judges who scored them 35 out of 40
Motsi Mabuse gushed: ‘I love this partnership, I just love to watch you dance’.
Then it was Vicky Pattinson’s turn with a jive, just a week after she and partner Kai Widdrington topped the leaderboard
But despite their best efforts the routine was described by the judges as ‘not her best but not her worst’ and landed middle of the pack with 27 out of 40
It’s not the first time that the stars have danced at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, so it will undoubtedly be a trip down memory lane.
On the subject of memory, if your Strictly trivia needs refreshing – Danny and Ashley were semi-finalists back in 2016 and 2018.
Danny danced alongside Oti Mabuse, 35, on the fourteenth and managed to place second behind Ore Oduba, 39, and Joanne Clifton, 42.
Ashley also placed second on the sixteenth series with dance partner Pasha Kovalev, 45, while Layton reached the semi-finals in 2023 alongside Nikita Kuzmin, 27.
Jay McGuiness, meanwhile, was crowned the Strictly champion when he appeared on the show a decade ago in 2015.
After revisiting some much-loved dances, all four are set to come together for a group dance that promises to combine elements of Jay and Ashley’s Jives, Danny’s Samba, and Layton’s Quickstep.
Speaking about her return to the dance floor on Strictly, Ashley said: ‘I’m so excited and grateful to be back on the shiny floor in Blackpool again.
‘Nearly a decade later, let’s see if these jive legs can still do their thing! Sequins always help, I’m sure.’
Danny added: ‘Dancing in Blackpool was an absolute highlight of my time on Strictly.
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 6:30pm and is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
STRICTLY LINEUP 2025
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey
Age: 36
Profession: Olympic Sprinter and Gladiator
Harry says: ‘I’ll be bringing tons of energy to light up the dance floor. Let’s hope I’m as quick picking up the routines as I am on the track.’
Alex Kingston
Age: 62
Profession: Doctor Who actress
The actress teases: ‘My hips don’t lie.’
Balvinder Sopal
Age: 46
Profession: EastEnders actress
Balvinder says: ‘I’m far too excited to put into words how I feel but I’m incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom.’
La Voix
Age: 45
Profession: Drag performer
She says: ‘Strictly is a national institution and I can’t wait to get started. All that’s left to say is: good luck to my partner! Here’s hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse.’
Thomas Skinner
Age: 34
Profession: Reality star and entrepreneur
He says: ‘Bring on the sequins, sambas and most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!’
Vicky Pattison
Age: 37
Profession: Reality TV star
She says: ‘I’m absolutely buzzing to be part of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up… but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified.’
Karen Carney
Age: 38
Profession: Football pundit
She says: ‘I’m such a huge fan of the show and I can’t believe I’m finally getting the chance to take part.’
George Clark
Age: 25
Profession: YouTuber
He says: ‘Never thought I’d say this… but I’m doing Strictly! Honestly, I’ve got no idea what I’m doing but I’m excited to get stuck in … and potentially fall over a fair bit.’
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Age: 53
Profession: Former Chelsea and Netherlands striker and ex-England coach.
He says: ‘Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is certainly not something I’ve done before but I’m looking forward to tackling a fun challenge! Bring on a new type of footwork, with hopefully no own goals.’
Ellie Goldstein
Age: 23
Profession: Model, influencer and disability ambassador
She says: ‘It’s a show I’ve loved watching for so long, and the chance to now be part of it feels like a dream’.
Chris Robshaw
Age: 39
Profession: Rugby player
He says: ‘This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets! I’m hoping to take my dad-dancing to a whole new level, and my mum can’t wait to drag me along to her Zumba class’.
Stefan Dennis
Age: 66
Profession: Actor
He says: ‘Looking forward to the sparkle and reaching for the sky.’
Ross King
Age: 63
Profession: Showbiz correspondent
He says: ‘I can’t wait to learn from the best, meet my fellow contestants, and, most importantly… try not to step on too many toes!’
Lewis Cope
Age: 30
Profession: Actor
He says: ‘I’m so excited to be swapping the Dales for the dance floor and joining this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.’
Amber Davies
Age: 28
Profession: West End star
She says: ‘This has been the craziest 24 hours of my life. I’ve watched Strictly with my family since I was younger and to now be part of the show is a dream come true.’
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