Strictly Come Dancing’s Bobby Brazier and his professional partner Dianne Buswell moved judges Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke to tears on Saturday with their emotional tribute performance to his late mother Jade Goody.
Actor Bobby, 20, was only five when Jade, who rose to fame on Big Brother in 2002, died of cervical cancer on Mother’s Day in March 2009.
His father, TV presenter Jeff, 44, single-handedly raised him and younger brother Freddie, 19.
Bobby said of his mother’s death before his performance: ‘It changed my life completely, I’d love to spend a day with her just to see where I get my smile from.’
EastEnders star Bobby and Dianne danced a Couple’s Choice routine to ‘This Woman’s Work’ by Maxwell, a song that Bobby chose because it is close to his heart.
Emotional: Strictly’s Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell moved Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke to tears on Saturday with their tribute performance to his late mother Jade Goody
No holding back: Judge Shirley was unable to hold back her tears as she praised Bobby after his performance
After the performance, he appeared emotional as his family watched in the audience and judges Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse gave him standing ovations. He received a score of 37 points.
Both Shirley and fellow panellist Anton Du Beke were moved to tears by his tribute dance.
It comes one week after Dianne’s father Mark, who lives in Dianne’s native Australia with her mum Rina, started chemotherapy for his own cancer battle.
During rehearsals, Dianne, 34, admitted she’s been struggling to hold back tears as the song reminds her of how Bobby lost his mother as a child and became the man he is today.
Bobby and Dianne were given a score of 37 out of 40 for their dance by judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse.
Viewers took to Twitter to offer their praise for Bobby and Dianne after their performance aired.
One person wrote: ‘I knew I’d be a mess watching Bobby’s dance but I was gone as soon as the VT started. The dance was beautiful, I’ve always loved that song. Jade would be so so proud.’
Someone else posted: ‘So much love to Bobby tonight, what a job Jeff Brazier has done, he must be so proud’
Tearful: Judge Anton Du Beke also said he was tearful as he complimented Bobby for his dance this weekend
Sobbing: Bobby’s television presenter Jeff Brazier was seen crying in the audience after Bobby’s performance
Family: His father, TV presenter Jeff, 44, single-handedly raised him and younger brother Freddie, 19 (right)
Looking back: Actor Bobby, 20, was only five when Jade, who rose to fame on Big Brother in 2002, died of cervical cancer on Mother’s Day in March 2009
Rise to fame: Jade (right) was a contestant on the third series of Big Brother in 2002 (pictured with Big Brother host Davina McCall, left)
Another viewer shared: ‘Had a bit of a cry watching Bobby & Dianne on Strictly tonight. The film before remembering Jade was emotional and what an incredible dad Jeff has been. So much to admire and Bobby is such a delight.’
‘Jade would be so proud,’ noted another viewer.
Someone else posted: ‘Bobby and Dianne’s contemporary dance was amazing and to “This Woman’s Work” – the most beautiful of songs. Very emotional!! Jade would be so proud of him and Freddie and of Jeff.’
Another viewer wrote: ‘Bobby Brazier on #Strictly in memory of his mum Jade Goody. I remember watching big brother when she got the call to the diary room. She died of cervical cancer when Bobby was age 4. Please ladies never ever miss or put off this important screening test.’
Someone else commented: ‘Well done Jeff you’ve done a great job with both Bobby and Freddie, lovely performance from Bobby and Diane. Lovely family, supportive of each other. Jade is beaming with pride from the stars.’
‘Never thought a dance would make me cry! That was so beautiful & emotionally moving. Jade would be beyond proud & not just of that performance but of the man Bobby has become,’ wrote someone else.
Someone else wrote: ‘Awh Bobby & Diane, that was a beautiful tribute to your lovely mum, Jade Goody. I’m sure she would be very proud of you. Well done.’
‘Ugh Bobby & Diane I’m sobbing & Jade would be so bloody proud,’ posted another viewer.
Impressive: Bobby and Dianne were given a score of 37 out of 40 for their dance by judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse
Moving: Bobby said of his mother’s death before his performance: ‘It changed my life completely, I’d love to spend a day with her just to see where I get my smile from’
Special: EastEnders star Bobby and Dianne danced a Couple’s Choice routine to ‘This Woman’s Work’ by Maxwell, a song that Bobby chose because it is close to his heart
Of his song choice, Bobby said: ‘I’ve always thought it’s the perfect song, the way he sings it the lyrics are profound and very impactful for me.
‘There’s lyrics in particular – “I should be crying but I just can’t let it show” – and when I was a little bit younger and I was angry and resentful and I feared the world and just couldn’t cry or express myself it was those lyrics, hearing that, that would make me cry because it felt so true.’
It was undoubtedly a difficult performance for the dancing pair as Dianne’s father has begun treatment for cancer.
Dianne hasn’t specified what cancer her has father has, but shared a photo of him on his first day of chemotherapy.
She wrote on social media: ‘I’m so proud of you dad. First round of chemotherapy today! I wish I could be there to hold your hand and support you in person but I do know that I’m making you so proud over here in my concert every week.
‘The Australian nurses and drs are now very aware of strictly come dancing as my dad won’t stop talking about it you can do this daddy xxx Go mark @mark.3802 @rinabuswell’.
Dianne posted another photo of her father to her Instagram Story, with the Maxwell song she will dance to on Saturday in the background.
The story featured texts from herself and texts from her father. She wrote in several texts: ‘be strong daddy’, ‘you are brave and stronger than you think’, ‘that where I get my bravery from’, ‘it will pass the feeling’, ‘and you will get better soon’, ‘I know you will’.
Fans: Viewers took to Twitter to offer their praise for Bobby and Dianne after their performance aired
Dianne’s father wrote back: ‘Hi Dot, All the very best for tonight’s concert for you and BOBBY I know you can do it 8, 9, 9, 10 love you more daddy’.
It was back in October that Dianne admitted her father was not doing well after she broke down in tears on Strictly.
In a Q&A on her YouTube channel she said: ‘I thought I would be very upfront and honest with you all. Last week I got some news about my dad’s health and I won’t go into detail, but obviously that affected me.
‘Being away from home and not being able to support and help your family in a time of need is quite a difficult thing so I did struggle a little bit last week in terms of that.’
Success: Bobby and Dianne scored a total of 37 out of 40 for their dance during Saturday’s Strictly
Dianne continued: ‘There is a little road ahead for my dad but I believe 100% he is going to be fine and we are all going to get through it together.’
She then asked fans to give her dad ‘a little thought or prayer’, which she would ‘greatly appreciate’.
The emotional star went on: ‘My dad is the sweetest, kindest man you will ever meet and the one thing he really wants is for me to keep going and to keep dancing my little heart out and doing what I love because that makes him the absolute proudest.
‘Regardless if I go home with a glitterball or not I will still go home and have a hot Christmas.’
STRICTLY COME DANCING 2023: THE CONTESTANTS’ PROFILES
Angela Rippon
Age: 78
Profession: Journalist
Angela says: ‘Having been a fan of Strictly since day one, and as a former presenter of Come Dancing, this will be quite an adventure for me. A scary one, considering I’m about to be 79. But I’m looking forward to the challenge, and perhaps being able to learn to dance the Argentine Tango.’
Layton Williams
Age: 28
Profession: Actor
Layton says: ‘Absolutely buzzing to confirm that I will be taking part in THE most iconic dance competition in the UK! It’s time to bring it to the Ballroom. So excited to learn new skills from the best. Bring on the sequins… ALL the sequins!’
Krishnan Guru-Murthy
Age: 53
Profession: Journalist
Krishnan says: ‘I’m surprised, delighted and slightly confused to find myself taking part in Strictly on the basis of ‘You only live once!’ I can’t wait to start learning to dance, but I am slightly worried about my general decrepitude.’
Eddie Kadi
Age: 40
Profession: Comedian and radio presenter
Eddie says: ‘WOW. Anyone who knows me, understands that music and dance is so important and central to who I am. I’m so unbelievably proud and honoured that Strictly and the BBC have asked me to join the 2023 Team. I promise you, I’m going to give it everything I’ve got. This is going to be a VIBE.
Angela Scanlon
Age: 39
Profession: TV presenter
Angela says: ‘I’m not particularly fit, I’ve no idea how my pelvic floor is going to react to this dancing. I’ve never done any dances apart from drunken jiving at a wedding!’
Adam Thomas
Age: 34
Profession: Actor and presenter
Adam says: ‘I can’t dance to save my life but I’m buzzing to learn and have a good laugh with my pro. Get me on that dance floor…I can’t wait!’
Ellie Leach
Age: 22
Profession: Coronation Street star
Ellie says: ‘It still doesn’t feel real that I’m going to be doing Strictly!! It’s always been a dream of mine so I guess dreams really do come true!!!!’
Bobby Brazier
Age: 20
Profession: EastEnders star and model
Bobby says: ‘I’m so excited to be part of the Strictly line up, I can’t wait to start training like a professional dancer and adding a few moves to my locker. I’m looking forward to performing in-front of everyone.’
Nigel Harman
Age: 49
Profession: Actor
Nigel says: ‘I’m amazed, excited, and terrified to be doing Strictly. As an armchair fan of the show I have watched in awe as people have twirled and gyrated across the screen. And now it’s my turn…..gulp!’
Annabel Croft
Age: 57
Profession: Broadcaster and ex tennis player
Annabel says: ‘I have always loved watching Strictly and can’t quite believe I’m going to be part of this magical show – swapping tennis balls for glitter balls and looking forward to finding some joyfulness in the process.’
