Strictly Come Dancing star breaks down in tears at home over family death
Former Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer James Jordan has shared the emotions he felt when watching EastEnders actor Bobby Brazier perform on the BBC show in tribute to his late mum, Big Brother legend Jade Goody.
The 45-year-old, who is married to another former Strictly pro - Ola Jordan, was tearful as he posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, about how much Bobby's couple's choice dance with pro Dianne Buswell had moved him and made him think of his own late father, who died following a cancer battle in 2021.
James, who often posts on X his thoughts on the celebrity's performances each week, told his 361,000 followers on the social media platform: "Makes me miss my dad watching that."
The pro dancer also added: "Bobby F*** me - how good was that!!! Not a fan of couples choice but this year being converted when I see stuff like that. Forget the VT - this was exceptional. It told a story through dance and I just sat and enjoyed it This style suited him massively 9 - b***** loved it!"
It was an experience that others watching Strictly shared with James, as Bobby's performance got top marks from two judges and placed him second on the leaderboard, after he had faced the dreaded dance-off the week before in Blackpool, where he was chosen by the judges ahead of former newsreader Angela Rippon.
TOWIE's Chloe Brockett makes cheeky dig at Saffron Lempriere during filmingOne Strictly viewer replied to James: "I lost my dad in July, it was a hard watch as it made me feel so sad but it was beautifully done."
Another added: "I had cancer when my kids were 8 & 11. This made me so emotional. (what could have happened). I am SO lucky (and thoroughly agree with your commentary!). Thank you!"
James shared the news of his dad's death in April 2021, writing: "My dad became an angel at 8.05am. I will forever miss him. My dad will always be my HERO. RIP Daddy. I pray to God that you come soon and make him one of your angels. He has his bags packed and is ready to go and see his mum and dad again. My dad is my hero. @BrainTumourOrg needs your support."
He also added in a candid video posted at the time: "My dad had a Stage Four brain tumour, a glioblastoma. He was diagnosed approximately one year ago, and myself and my family watched him slowly disappear. It's an absolutely horrendous, horrendous disease. Cancer is awful no matter which cancer it is, but brain tumour in particular takes away that person's identity a lot. Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killers in children and adults under 40, and out of £600 million which is raised currently in the UK, less than 3% of that goes to funding for brain tumour treatments."