Strictly Come Dancing’s Will Mellor struggled to fight back tears on Saturday night as he and Nancy Xu danced to his late father’s favorite song.
The Four Pints of Lager actor, 46, lost his dad Bill suddenly in 2020 – just two weeks after he was diagnosed with cancer.
And after performing a waltz to Three Times a Lady by Lionel Richie and the Commodores, which was dedicated to his parent, Will was overcome with emotion.
Emotional: Strictly Come Dancing’s Will Mellor struggled to fight back tears on Saturday night as he and Nancy Xu danced to his late father’s favorite song
In his VT, Will explained: ‘It’s a song my dad used to sing to my mum. This dance is two people moving as one, two hearts beating as one, that’s what we want.
He was also seen video calling his mother as she urged him to “stick it together” and noted that they had “been through some tough times”.
Will said to his mother, “Hopefully with this dance I can show my respect to Dad.”
The star and Nancy then wowed with a stunning routine and when the dance ended, Will stood looking up at the ceiling with his arms outstretched as she fought to hold back his tears.
Loss: The Four Pints of Lager actor, 46, lost his dad Bill suddenly in 2020 – just two weeks after he was diagnosed with cancer
He then joined host Tess Daly to get feedback from the judges with Will visibly upset and struggling not to cry.
Motsi Mabuse commented on the performance: ‘Wow. Come it was absolutely beautiful. In every sense of the word beauty is what it is.
‘Music, together, timeless, feeling, message, performance… what more do you want? I don’t know – beautiful!
While head judge Shirley Ballas shared: “Well dancing is one thing, but after seeing your VT and that beautiful relationship you have with your mum, it’s just amazing – it makes me miss my own son.”
Routine: And after performing a waltz to Three Times a Lady by Lionel Richie and the Commodores, dedicated to his parent, Will was overcome with emotion.
Wow: Wil and Nancy put everything into the emotional routine
She went on to praise several elements of the performance, noting that his “footwork was amazing!”
Anton Du Beke added that the dance was “immaculate”, saying it was the “epitome” of two bodies dancing as one to the music.
While Craig Revel Horwood noted that it “lacked a bit of swing and sway”, before adding “it’s really nothing for the way you told that story. You really did your family hugely proud.
Will and Nancy then joined Claudia Winkleman upstairs, where the actor once again struggled with his emotions and was seen wiping away a tear.
Interview: In his VT, Will explained: ‘It’s a song my dad used to sing to my mum. This dance is two people moving as one, two hearts beating as one, that’s what we want
Chat: He was also seen video calling his mum as she urged him to ‘stick it together’ and noted they had ‘been through some tough times’
Powerful: The star and Nancy then wowed with a stunning routine and when the dance ended, Will stood looking up at the ceiling with his arms outstretched as she fought to hold back his tears
Nancy then added emotionally about her partner: “I think he did amazing and when we talk about this dance we’re not just dancing for this moment, we want to dedicate this dance to everyone who lost loved ones and didn’t it. get a chance to say goodbye.’
Viewers at home watched the scenes and took to Twitter to share that seeing Will upset also made them emotional.
“Oh my god I just want to jump through the screen and hug Will he’s trying so hard to keep it together,” one person commented.
While another shared: “Will is so emotional. He makes me emotional.’
Struggles: He then joined host Tess Daly to get feedback from the judges with Will visibly upset and struggling not to cry
Affected: Will and Nancy then joined Claudia Winkleman upstairs, where the actor again struggled with his emotions and was seen wiping away a tear.
Good results: Will and Nancy received incredible scores from the judges
A third said: ‘Me: I’m not interested why your song is special to you celeb just dance please me too: *crying at Will’s waltz like it’s Mufasa dying in The Lion King*’
‘Your dad would be so proud of you Will. I’m so emotional right now. Such beautiful dancing, commented a fourth viewer.
With a fifth addition: ‘Oh Will. It was beautiful. Anyone else crying?’
It comes after Will revealed earlier this week that he had been in tears after learning the dance routine to one of his late father’s favorite songs.
Reaction: Viewers at home watched the scenes unfold and took to Twitter to share that it got emotional seeing Will upset
Will appeared with his professional dance partner Nancy Xu on Loose Women on Thursday and admitted he has been struggling to get through rehearsals.
He said: ‘This week I’m dancing to one of my dad’s favorite songs. It’s hard, I called my mom, I couldn’t get through the routine without crying.
“We lost time on Monday because I couldn’t concentrate.”
He continued: ‘I want to do it right because I want to celebrate him. He’s one of the reasons I do Strictly. I want to embrace life and go for it.’
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 6.55pm on ITV.
‘I couldn’t do the routine without crying’: It comes after Will revealed earlier this week that he had been in tears after learning the dance routine to one of his late father’s favorite songs
Tough: He said: ‘This week I’m dancing to one of my dad’s favorite songs. It’s hard, I called my mom, I couldn’t get through the routine without crying.
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