Shirley Ballas chokes back tears as Pete Wicks dedicates dance to late grandma
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Shirley Ballas, a judge on Strictly Come Dancing, struggled to hold back her tears when Pete Wicks showcased an emotional Couples Choice dance in memory of his late grandmother.
Wicks ended up at the lowest position on the leaderboard last week and questioned whether he really "earned" his spot in the competition after Sam Quek and her professional partner Nikita Kuzman were sent home due to a judges' verdict.
The 36-year-old star from Towie and author dedicated the performance to his grandmother Doreen, who passed away in 2022. Wicks has shared his experiences about how his grandmother was instrumental in his upbringing, especially during a time when his mother faced challenges with her mental health.
In the episode that aired on Saturday night, November 9th, Wicks, who is teamed up with Jowita Pryzstal, performed to the song "The Best" by Nicotine Dolls.
The judges had a positive reaction to the dance, awarding the couple their top score of the season, which was 37 points. Among the ratings was a perfect 10 from head judge Shirley Ballas, who felt deeply moved and struggled to hold back tears as she gave her score.
"Alright, I need to take a moment to breathe; I'm feeling really overwhelmed," she expressed, inhaling deeply.
As a grandma myself, I want to say how heartwarming it was to see you dedicate your performance to your lovely grandmother. Your dance was not just about the lovely movements; it truly reflected your passion and spirit.
"Your exceptional talent for lifting this amazing young woman and then gently placing her back down truly showcased your connection to the music and the dance. For me, that embodies the essence of it all."
Social media users showered the star with compliments as they shared their thoughts on his performance.
"That moment felt genuine, and it really highlighted Pete's journey in this competition," commented one individual. "I just want to give him a hug! It was beautiful!"
"I'm really emotional seeing Pete Wicks and Jowita being so open," shared one person, while another added, "I'm in tears again!"
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"I'm already in tears before Pete even starts dancing," remarked one viewer, as Wicks shared the influence his grandmother had on him and expressed how thrilled she would have been to see him participating in the show.
Many people praised the TV star for his improvement, saying things like, "At last! Pete Wicks poured so much feeling into that Couple's Choice dance; it was like he was in his own universe. I really hope he brings that same passion to his future performances."
Not everyone was impressed; some criticized the emotional performance, calling it a “sob story” and “awkward.”
In a recent episode of the High Performance podcast, Wicks talked about his desire to honor his grandmother through a special performance.
“She would have really enjoyed it,” he remarked. “I doubt she ever pictured me dancing in a ballroom on a Saturday evening.”
"I'm really hopeful that we might perform a song that holds a special place in my heart, and if I get the chance to stay long enough, it will serve as a tribute to her."
