Strictly’s Fleur East holds back tears as she dedicates her Blackpool peformance to her late father

Fleur East got emotional on Saturday night’s episode of Strictly Come Dancing, which marked the show’s return to the famous Blackpool Tower.

The former X Factor star, 35, dedicated her dance routine that night to her late father Malcolm, who died in 2020, describing him as ‘my biggest fan’.

And it was certainly an achievement to be proud of, as the star bagged the series’ first packed house, receiving a perfect 10 from all the judges.

‘Everything I do, I do for him’: Strictly’s Fleur East holds back tears as she dedicates her performance at Blackpool Tower to her late father… and calls him her ‘biggest fan’

Speaking to the camera during rehearsals for the live show in one piece, Fleur explained that Strictly was her father’s favorite TV show.

It was his favorite program. When I was on The X Factor it always ran the same time as Strictly and my dad was always really annoyed that he had to miss the Strictly results because he was watching me on TV,” she laughed.

Continued: ‘If my dad were here and he knew I was performing in Blackpool, he’d be bursting with pride. He was my biggest fan. Everything I do, I do for him and to make him proud.’

Emotional: The former X Factor star dedicated her dance routine on the evening to her late father Malcolm, who died in 2020

And when she took the stage that night, Fleur’s performance was nothing short of sensational as she stepped out dressed in sequins to perform for Destiny’s Child.

She and partner Vito Coppola were praised by the judges as they made the Blackpool Tower crowd go crazy with the dance, before catapulting to the top of the leaderboard.

The dance received Judge Craig Revel Horwood’s first 10 out of 10 points of the season, resulting in a perfect 40 out of 40 points, which is also a first.

And Fleur was delighted with the achievement, while partner Vito took her in his arms and followed the news over his shoulder.

Glitz and glamour: And when she took the stage at night, Fleur’s performance was nothing short of sensational as she stepped out dressed in sequins for a performance for Destiny’s Child

Good luck! The dance got judge Craig Revel Horwood’s first 10 out of 10 points of the season, resulting in a perfect 40 out of 40 points – when Fleur was scooped into the air by upbeat partner Vito Coppola upon hearing the score

The singer previously spoke of her heartbreak following her father’s death, describing it earlier this month as “the hardest thing she’s ever been through.”

On her Hits Radio Breakfast Show this month, Fleur said, ‘In life there are so many challenges, so many things you have to deal with, and I’m going to be 100% honest here, losing my dad in 2020 is the hardest part. what I’ve ever been through, emotionally, mentally, and there’s such a hole in my life since he left.

“The whole reason I’m doing this show is for him, so if being in the dance-off is part of my journey, if that’s the challenge, there’s nothing going to be harder than losing my dad. So I’ll pick myself up every time, remind myself why I’m there, keep fighting and come back stronger.”

Bond: Fleur shared that ‘everything I do, I do for him’ when talking about her late father, Malcolm, and their close relationship

The star also cried after her second appearance on the show as she thought about her beloved father.

In the week after the show, she admitted that her uncle thoughtfully wore her late father’s bracelet to the show, which left her “spit.”

She said, “Throughout the day I was trying to make sure I found the right emotion for this dance because I was really worried about going there, being pretty empty and empty and just doing the steps.” I really wanted to commit to it’.

“But just before we danced I went to my family who were in the audience and my Uncle Sean raised his arm to show me his wrist – and he was wearing my dad’s bracelet.”

She continued, “He didn’t even say anything to me, he just showed me and that got me thinking. It only took me a few seconds to perform and with everything else and because I was just nervous I started crying, sniffling!’

Emotion: The star also cried after her second appearance on the show as she thought about her beloved father