Yahoo News BBC Strictly's Pete Wicks struggles to speak after death of family member who 'mattered most'
Strictly Come Dancing star Pete Wicks fought back tears as he dedicated his latest dance to his late nan. The former TOWIE star announced he was dancing his couple's choice with professional dance partner Jowita Przystal as a special tribute to her.
They were dancing to Tina Turner's The Best - his nan's favourite song. In an emotional VT ahead of the dance, he fought back tears as he said: "This is a tribute to the person that mattered to me more than anyone.
"My nan, my mum and I were as close as you can really imagine. When my mum was in dark places, it was my nan that I turned to. She was just the rock for everyone."
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He continued: "I'd rather go and see my nan and spend time with her than I would go out with the boys or play football. I took her to get tattooed, she had my initals on her ankle.
"As a friend, as a safety net, as a support - she was just everything." Pete revealed he had been at his nan's side at the end in hospital.
He added: "The last few weeks that she was here, me and my mum were there every night at the hospital. I was there holding her hand and she said that we were soulmates."
Pete struggled to hold back his tears as he admitted he was feeling 'more pressure this week than any other week'. At the end of the emotional performance, Pete could be seen trying to compose himself before turning to Jowita for support.
He could barely speak after the performance as he told host Tess Daly: "It was a tough week." Strictly's head judge Shirley Ballas was also struggling to get herself together following the emotional performance.
She told Pete: "I have to breathe. I'm getting quite emotional. I am a grandma myself, a nanna, and just to see you dedicate that to your nan...your heart and soul shone."
Craig Revel Horwood told the duo: "I really loved the sentiment, I really like the emotion you brought. However I would have liked to see just a little more flow in the transition work...it didn't have a polished finish that it could have had technically. But it was absolutely moving and absolutely beautiful."
Waiting for his scores in the Clauditorium, Pete said his nan was the only person he wanted there and this was his way to include her in the experience. As he fought back tears, co-host Claudia Winkleman supported the star and told him 'I'm so sorry'.
Pete and Jowita received a total of 36 points for the routine. Craig scored the duo an eight, Motsi and Anton awarded nine points and Shirley gave Pete his first 10 of the competition.
