Children's presenter Karim Zeroual has stunned judges with his dance floor prowess.
Last weekend the actor was at the top of the leaderboard with his incredible Quickstep routine with partner Amy Dowden.
Shirley, Motsi and Bruno all awarded the couple 10s, while Craig spoiled their run with a nine.
But behind Karim's smiles and slick moves he hides a devastating heartbreak after losing his best friend, Louelle Michie.
The 24-year-old daughter of Coronation Street actor John Michie died at the Bestival music festival in 2017.
Her boyfriend, Ceon Broughton, was jailed for her manslaughter after supplying her with the Class A drug 2CP.
Karim was left devastated by Louella's death, who he has described as his "sister and best friend".
A close friend of his told the Daily Record: “Karim thought the world of Louella and loved to dance with her.
"There is no doubt she will be in his mind during some of the more emotional moments of the show. He really adored her.”
The 19-year-old and Louella were often seen at festivals together and were described by those who knew them as "kindred spirits".
Louella used to call Karim her "little man" while he referred to her as "My G", a gangsta expression which means close friend.
The pair had been close pals for five years before Louella's tragic death just hours before her 25th birthday.
She had even nominated him for an Ice Bucket Challenge back in 2014.
And Louella seems to have helped inspire him for Strictly glory with videos of the pair showing off their dance moves on his Instagram page.
Following her tragic death more than two years ago, Karin said: "“Words can’t describe how I feel today. You were so special to me.
"The years we had together and the times we had have always been jokes, because you were never without a smile.
“The only girl in the world I can call my best friend and my sister. I love you forever and always. RIP beautiful Lou. Gone too soon."
Broughton was jailed for eight years and six months for Louella's manslaughter.
After giving her the hallucinogenic drug, Broughton chillingly filmed her as she suffered a "gradual demise" over the next six hours.
Following Broughton's sentencing, Louella's father, John, said: "I wake up every morning to face life starting again without Louella. Our daughter, our sister, our friend, our family now broken.
“I go to bed every night with the image of Louella crying out to her mum and dad and brother and sister to help.
“But there was only one person who could have helped her.”
