Strictly Come Dancing star Bobby Brazier has revealed his emotional two-word tribute to his late mother Jade Goody, after she died when he was just five years old.
The EastEnders star, 20, shared the moving homage during a candid interview with The Mirror, after leaving viewers in tears with his emotional dance tribute on Saturday.
He said: ‘If I could see her again for one moment, I’d tell her, ”Thank you” and give her a cuddle.’
During Saturday’s Strictly, Bobby and his professional dance partner Dianne Buswell moved judges Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke with their emotional dance tribute to Jade.
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.
Touching: Strictly Come Dancing star Bobby Brazier has revealed his emotional two-word tribute to his late mother Jade Goody after leaving viewers in tears with his dance on Saturday
His father, TV presenter Jeff, 44, single-handedly raised him and younger brother Freddie, 19, with the pair both shedding some tears as they watched on from the audience.
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.
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.
Bobby’s father Jeff was also in tears as he called his son Bobby ‘a walking tribute to his mum’.
In the emotional VT before Bobby’s performance with his partner Dianne, Jeff paid tribute to Jade and how proud she would be of their son.
He told the camera: ‘As a family we are very tight, we have had to be as loss has made us grow closer.’ Bobby added his love for his dad by saying: ‘To be someone that my dad is proud of is everything.’
Sweet: He said: ‘If I could see her again for one moment, I’d tell her, ”Thank you” and give her a cuddle.’ Jade died in 2009 after battling cervical cancer when Bobby was five years old
Emotional: 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
Breaking down in tears Jeff called himself ‘the lucky one’, explaining: ‘I’m the one who gets to bring the boys up I’m the one who gets to watch him on Strictly and it brings so much joy to my life, I’m very, very grateful for that.’
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.
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’
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.’
Sobbing: Bobby’s television presenter Jeff Brazier was seen crying in the audience after Bobby’s performance
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.
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.’
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 7:25pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
