Strictly fans were moved as the professional dancers put on a fitting tribute to Remembrance Day during this Sunday’s results show.
This year’s performance followed a veteran through the years, from a young soldier to a Royal British Legion pensioner, played by Gorka Marquez.
The routine began, performed to Damien Rice’s The Blower’s Daughter, with Strictly pro Amy Dowden pinning a poppy onto the dress of a young girl.
Slowly, the dance floor was revealed to the mid-century sitting room of a young family – with the 34-year-old Marquez seated and dressed in an army uniform.
Sharing the floor with the Spanish dancer was Cypriot dancer Michelle Tsiakkas, 29, playing Marquez’s wife.
The pair danced tenderly and embraced for a goodbye before a wall and the other professionals swooped in for a Poppy Appeal-themed group dance.
Marquez and Tsiakkas played a soldier and his wife
BBC
As the walls receded, Marquez and Tsiakkas danced together again after the war – with the wife pinning a poppy on her husband.
After another spellbinding group number, the stage was emptied of all but the pair sat down once again.
The final emotional moment saw a close-up of Marquez slowly fade seamlessly into the figure of a real life Royal British Legion veteran.
The veteran stood and pinned a poppy on the young girl from the beginning of routine as more of the crimson flowers fell gracefully around them.
The routine ended with a Royal British Legion veteran and a young girl holding hands
BBC
The thunderous applause on the studio audience was matched by the reaction of fans on social media.
One viewer declared on X: “This week’s group dance for Remembrance Sunday has me bawling so beautiful.”
“Wow! Such a beautiful and moving dance by the professional dancers on Strictly Come Dancing for Remembrance Day Had a few tears at the end,” revealed another.
A third said: “Every year Strictly get their Remembrance Dance just right. Tonight’s was right up there as the best.”
“It’s always guaranteed I’ll cry at the Remembrance Sunday routine and this year was no exception. Absolutely beautiful from the professional dancers,” a fourth praised.
Also on Sunday’s show was a performance from Ball & Boe – aka Michael Ball and Alfie Boe.
The pair sang their version of He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother as pro dancers Karen Hauer and Kai Widdrington delivered a beautiful routine.
The results show also saw the exit of former X Factor winner Shayne Ward and dance partner Nancy Xu after Opera singer Wynne Evans and pro Katya Jones triumphed in the dance-off.
