Bereavement charities have reportedly seen an increase in phone calls after Jayde Adams stunning dance on Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night (October 15). The comedian payed a 'beautiful' tribute to her sister in the most recent episode to her sister, sparking an increase in people seeking help with bereavement.
The Bristolian glided across the dancefloor to Bette Midler's Wind Beneath My Wings, as she whirled with her dance partner, Karen Heuer. The couple's American Smooth was highly praised by the judges, who awarded the pair a respectable 31 for their dance.
Talking to the camera before the dance, the star said: "Bette Midler was mine and my sister Jenna's most favourite musician when we were growing up. We used to have CDs of Bette all over the house and we'd make up dances to Bette in our parents' living room."
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"The lyrics to the song really resonate. She [Jenna] was two years older than me, and she died 11 years ago."
Wiping away tears from her eyes, Jayde told the camera: "I didn't just lose my sister, I lost my best friend, I lost my dance partner. Her telling me to make everyone laugh was my calling. When my sister said 'that's what you are here to do now' I just knew what my place was in the world."
Talking to Jannette Manrara, former Strictly professional and It Takes Two presenter, Jayde said on Wednesday's show the response has been 'absolutely mega'. She said: "It's been so lovely, and the response has been absolutely mega."
"People have been sharing with me all of their stories, especially of sibling loss. I know some people get uncomfortable talking about stuff like this, but I think grief should be spoken about - we're all going to experience it at some point, and what a great place to do it - on somewhere as creative as Strictly Come Dancing."
She added that she was 'always going to miss' her sister, but added: "If it comes up, it comes up - it's just a natural part of grieving."
Jannette then revealed that more people had been accessing bereavement charities after the dance aired at the weekend. The former professional said: "You know what Jayde, you have really helped spread the message.
"Visits to a bereavement support website went up by 121 percent on Sunday night's results show," Jannette said to rounds of applause from set members.
"You're going to make me cry!" The Bristolian said in response, blowing out a heavy sigh of air. "This is a lot.
"It is all I ever wanted to do, is to make hard stuff much easier for people, so that it like... I told you I was all chill and stuff - I'm holding it in!"
This weekend Jayde and Karen will be dancing a Charleston to Victoria Wood's Barry and Freda. Week five of the show celebrates the BBC's 100 birthday, and the Strictly stars will be dancing to iconic tracks from the BBC's history.
To watch Jayde and Karen in action, tune in Strictly on BBC One and iPlayer at 6.40pm on Saturday.
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