Strictly Come Dancing star Matt Goss has revealed that he broke down the moment he saw an Olympic Games athlete being introduced on TV as someone who lives with Poland Syndrome.
The much-loved pop star, 54, had been dancing his heart out on the famous Strictly dance floor over the past month, but last weekend's elimination saw the Bros singer wave a teary goodbye to the BBC competition.
Matt's time on Strictly marked his return to the UK after spending 25 years living in the US and while his time on the competition has now come to an end, the show has left a lasting impact on the musician, after he opened up about the rare condition which he has lived with his whole life.
After his emotional goodbye following the judges deliberation - where they saved Kym Marsh instead of Matt - the singer decided the time was right to finally reveal his Poland Syndrome diagnosis - a condition which he has only recently come to discover more about after living with it his entire life.
Poland Syndrome is a very rare condition that is characterised by underdeveloped chest muscles and webbing of the fingers.
The condition usually affects just one side of the body and it can also cause shorter than usual fingers as well as problems with the digestive tract.
Poland Syndrome is evident at birth and it more commonly affects males and it frequently involves the right side of the body.
Speaking to The Mirror, Matt revealed that revealing his diagnosis after his Strictly stint was 'therapeutic' after keeping it to himself for so many years.
The Bros legend admitted that he only truly came to accept his condition in recent years, after seeing an Olympic athlete on TV speaking about the challenges they also faced while living with Poland Syndrome.
As he sat and watched the brave Olympian speak so freely about their condition, Matt broke down into tears when he heard the words 'Poland Syndrome' after going years without knowing what 'was wrong with him' as doctors could never find an answer or put a name on what he was living with for so long.
"My condition has never been a hindrance to me in my life. But when I was young, I was kind of made to feel like a bit of a weirdo by the doctors because they didn't know what it was," Matt explained.
"Then a few years ago - it wasn't very long ago to be honest - I was sitting at home watching the Olympics and there was an American swimmer who had won a silver medal, and the commentators started praising him and said 'oh he has Poland Syndrome', and I literally stared at the TV and sat down and just sobbed my eyes out.
"The commentators went on to explain what Poland Syndrome was and I literally couldn't stop crying.
"It was unbelievable, it had a name all those years, and I just never knew what was wrong with me. It was the most incredibly powerful moment - this thing having a name."
Since that life-changing moment, Matt has been on a mission to spread awareness about the condition and his Strictly Come Dancing journey has only geared him on in accepting his condition and has given him a reason to inspire others to reach their dreams - no matter what life throws at them.
Now, the singer hopes to create his own charity to help children suffering from the same syndrome.
"I’m not disadvantaged and I want kids to know that. I am going to look at creating some kind of charity to build confidence, to show kids with the syndrome they can achieve everything in life."
