Bobby Brazier and his Strictly partner Dianne Buswell are gearing up to perform an emotional dance on Saturday night in tribute to his mother, Jade Goody.
They will dance a Couple’s Choice routine to ‘This Woman’s Work’ by Maxwell, a song that the EastEnders star chose because it is close to his heart.
It comes one week after Dianne’s father Mark, who lives in Dianne’s native with her mum Rina, started chemotherapy for his own cancer battle.
During rehearsals, Dianne, 34, admitted she’s been struggling 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 only five when Jade, who rose 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 are gearing up to perform an emotional dance on Saturday night in tribute to his mother, Jade Goody
Reminds him of Mum Jade: Bobby was only five when Jade, who rose to fame on Big Brother in 2002, died of cervical cancer on Mother’s Day in March 2009 (pictured in 2006)
Brave: It comes one week after Dianne’s father Mark, who lives in Dianne’s native with her mum Rina, started chemotherapy for his own cancer battle
His father, TV presenter Jeff, 44, single-handedly raised him and younger brother Freddie, 19.
Bobby said: ‘I’ve always thought it’s the perfect song, the way he sings it the lyrics are profound and very impactful for me.
‘There’s lyrics in particular – “I should be crying but I just can’t let it show” – and when I was a little bit younger and I was angry and resentful and I feared the world and just couldn’t cry or express myself it was those lyrics, hearing that, that would make me cry because it felt so true.’
He added: ‘It’s a big week, it’s our couples’ choice. There’s going to be a flood (of tears).’
It will undoubtedly be a difficult performance for the dancing pair as Dianne’s father begins treatment for cancer.
Dianne hasn’t specified what cancer her has father has, but shared a photo of him on his first day of chemotherapy.
She said: ‘I’m so proud of you dad. First round of chemotherapy today! I wish I could be there to hold your hand and support you in person but I do know that I’m making you so proud over here in my concert every week.
‘The n nurses and drs are now very aware of strictly come dancing as my dad won’t stop talking about it you can do this daddy xxx Go mark @mark.3802 @rinabuswell’.
Support: Dianne posted another photo of her father to her Instagram Story, where he wishes her luck for Saturday, with the Maxwell song she will dance to on Saturday in the background
What a ride! Jade rose to fame on the third season of Big Brother in 2002 and finished in fourth place, earning a hugely warm reception from the crowd as she exited the house
Brutal: 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 home Angela Rippon
Tight knit family: His father, TV presenter Jeff, 44, single-handedly raised him and younger brother Freddie, 19 (pictured together on Gogglebox)
Preparations: Dianne Buswell was pictured arriving at her hotel on Friday night ahead of Saturday’s live show
Low-key look: The professional dancer was casually clad in a tracksuit as she checked in
Bronzed: Ellie Leach had her spray tan ahead of Saturday’s show
Cute: Alijaz Skorjanec looked every inch the doting dad as he pushed his daughter Lyra
Adorable: Neil Jones’ fiancée Chyna Mills carried their daughter Havana as she made her way to the hotel
Dianne posted another photo of her father to her Instagram Story, with the Maxwell song she will dance to on Saturday in the background.
The story featured texts from herself and texts from her father. She wrote in several texts: ‘be strong daddy’, ‘you are brave and stronger than you think’, ‘that where I get my bravery from’, ‘it will pass the feeling’, ‘and you will get better soon’, ‘I know you will’.
Dianne’s father wrote back: ‘Hi Dot, All the very best for tonight’s concert for you and BOBBY I know you can do it 8, 9, 9, 10 love you more daddy’.
It was back in October that Dianne admitted her father was not doing well after she broke down in tears on Strictly.
In a Q&A on her YouTube channel she said: ‘I thought I would be very upfront and honest with you all. Last week I got some news about my dad’s health and I won’t go into detail, but obviously that affected me.
‘Being away from home and not being able to support and help your family in a time of need is quite a difficult thing so I did struggle a little bit last week in terms of that.’
Dianne continued: ‘There is a little road ahead for my dad but I believe 100% he is going to be fine and we are all going to get through it together.’ She then asked fans to give her dad ‘a little thought or prayer’, which she would ‘greatly appreciate’.
The emotional star went on: ‘My dad is the sweetest, kindest man you will ever meet and the one thing he really wants is for me to keep going and to keep dancing my little heart out and doing what I love because that makes him the absolute proudest.
‘Regardless if I go home with a glitterball or not I will still go home and have a hot 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 home veteran newsreader Angela Rippon, 79.