Bobby Brazier and his Strictly partner Dianne Buswell are preparing to perform an emotional dance in honor of his mother, Jade Goody, on Saturday night.
They dance a Couple’s Choice routine to Maxwell’s ‘This Woman’s Work’, a song the EastEnders star chose because it is close to his heart.
It comes a week after Dianne’s father Mark, who lives with her mother Rina in Dianne’s native Australia, started chemotherapy for his own battle with cancer.
During rehearsals, Dianne, 34, admitted she struggled 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.
He was just five when Jade, who shot to fame on Big Brother in 2002, died of cervical cancer on Mother’s Day in March 2009.
Moving: Bobby Brazier and his Strictly partner Dianne Buswell prepare to perform an emotional dance in honor of his mother, Jade Goody, on Saturday night
Reminds him of mum Jade: Bobby was just five when Jade, who shot to fame on Big Brother in 2002, died of cervical cancer on Mother’s Day in March 2009 (pictured in 2006)
Brave: It comes a week after Dianne’s father Mark, who lives with her mother Rina in Dianne’s native Australia, started chemotherapy for his own battle with cancer
His father, TV presenter Jeff, 44, raised him and his younger brother Freddie, 19, single-handedly.
Bobby said: ‘I’ve always thought it was the perfect song, the way he sings it, the lyrics are profound and have a big impact on me.
‘There are lyrics in particular – “I should cry but I just can’t show it” – and when I was a little younger and I was mad and angry and I was afraid of the world and just couldn’t cry or be myself It was those lyrics that made me cry, because it felt so true.’
He added: ‘It’s a big week, it’s our couples’ choice. There will be a flood (of tears).”
It will undoubtedly be a difficult performance for the dancing couple as Dianne’s father begins cancer treatment.
Dianne did not specify which cancer her father has, but shared a photo of him on his first day of chemotherapy.
She said, ‘I’m so proud of you daddy. First chemo treatment today! I wish I could be there to hold your hand and support you in person, but I do know that I make you so proud here every week at my concert.
‘The Australian nurses and doctors are now very aware of the strict come dancing as my father keeps talking about it. You can do this daddy xxx Go mark @mark.3802 @rinabuswell’.
Support: Dianne posted another photo of her father on her Instagram Story, wishing her luck for Saturday, with the Maxwell song she will be dancing to on Saturday in the background
What a ride! Jade shot to fame on the third season of Big Brother in 2002, finishing in fourth place, where she received a hugely warm reception from the audience as she left the house.
Cheeky: Bobby found himself in the dreaded dance-off last weekend after opening the show from Blackpool. He was saved by all four judges, who sent Angela Rippon home
Close-knit family: His TV presenter dad Jeff, 44, raised him and his younger brother Freddie, 19, single-handedly (pictured together on Gogglebox)
Dianne posted another photo of her father on her Instagram Story, with Maxwell’s song that she will be dancing to on Saturday in the background.
The story contained texts from herself and texts from her father. She wrote in various texts: ‘be strong daddy’, ‘you are brave and stronger than you think’, ‘that’s where I get my courage from’, ‘it passes the feeling’, ‘and you will get better soon’, ‘I know you will do it’.
Dianne’s father wrote back: ‘Hi Dot, all the best for tonight’s concert to you and BOBBY. I know you can do it. 8, 9, 9, 10 love you more daddy.
It was in October that Dianne admitted things were not well with her father after breaking down in tears on Strictly.
In a Q&A on her YouTube channel, she said: “I thought I would be very honest and honest with all of you. Last week I got news about my father’s health and I won’t go into detail, but that clearly affected me.
“Being away from home and not being able to support and help your family in a time of need is quite difficult, so I struggled with that a bit this past week.”
Dianne continued, “There is still a little way to go for my dad, but I 100% believe he will be fine and we will all get through this together.” She then asked fans to give her father “a little thought or prayer,” which she would “very much appreciate.”
The emotional star continued, “My dad is the sweetest, kindest man you will ever meet and all he really wants is for me to keep going and keep dancing with my little heart and doing what I love because that makes him the best . definitely the most proud.
“Whether I go home with a glitter ball or not, I’m still going to go home and have a warm Christmas.”
Bobby found himself in the dreaded dance-off last weekend after opening the show from Blackpool.
He was saved by all four judges, who sent veteran newsreader Angela Rippon, 79, home.