Strictly 2022: Jayde Adams dedicates American Smooth to late sister Jenna

Strictly Come Dancing’s fourth live show of the series hit BBC One on Saturday evening, with the 13 couples set face the third public vote of the series.

After giving it their all on the dancefloor last week, the celebrities once again learned a new routine as things stepped up a gear in week four.

Jayde Adams burst into tears after she and Karen Hauer danced the American Smooth to Wind Beneath My Wings to Bette Midler, with the comedian opening up about how it reminds her of her late sister Jenna, who passed away in 2011 from an inoperable brain tumor. They were awarded 31 points.

Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystał danced a Salsa to Ecuador by Sash and received a standing ovation from the audience. The judges awarded them the highest score of the series, a near perfect 39. 

In Jayde’s VT, she said: ‘The lyrics really resonate… she was two years older than me and she died 11 years ago. I didn’t just lose a sister, I lost a best friend, a dance partner. This song in particular is very special to me and my family and I hope I can do it justice this week.’

Following the routine, a teary-eyed Shirley Ballas said: ‘I feel like you’re my hero. You’ve represented this number with everybody who’s lost a loved one. I’m really emotional. I’m sure your sister would be proud of you.’

Speaking to Claudia Winkleman afterwards, Jayde burst into hysterical tears, saying: ‘Something she said to my mum before she died, “Do you think people will forget me?” You just said her name on this and…

‘I’m so lucky that I get to do this because so many people lose people and grief is so difficult. To be able to keep the promise that we wouldn’t let people forget her is the greatest gift.’

Elsewhere, Will Mellor – who had been struck down with an illness during the week – and Nancy Xu danced the Rumba to The Joker And The Queen by Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift – which gained them a score of 23.

In his VT, the EastEnders star had said: ‘Monday, I came into training and after a couple of hours, I felt funny. I’ve come down with a terrible virus.

‘The actual story behind the dance is powerful, it brings me back to a time when I wasn’t in a happy place. Men find it difficult to talk so I hope people see this and go, “Yeah, I am struggling and can reach out, with someone there to catch you.”

Will previously opened up about his mental health crisis following the death of his sister nine years ago and the passing of his father in 2020.

In her feedback, judge Motsi Mabuse said: ‘It’s great to see the spark between you two is always there. But your body posture is better now than when you were dancing. With such a slow Rumba song, your spine is important for what’s happening up and down.

‘Ask where do you stand and where is your spine, those things didn’t come together today. We know you’re talented so come back stronger next time.’

Ellie Simmonds and her partner Nikita Kuzman gained a score of 30 while dancing the Salsa to Shanice’s I Love Your Smile, with Anton Du Beke saying in his feedback: ‘I’m already in a wonderful mood and now I’m in an even better mood.

He added: ‘What I love about your dancing is you always get the right atmosphere for your dance. That was a great performance and I enjoyed it, well done.’

Matt Goss and Nadiya Jived their way to 20 points, with Shirley Ballas saying: ‘There is no disputing you are 100% committed to this competition for sure. I can see you have it in your eyes and want to improve. I think you’re doing quite well with your coordination but now is time to focus on your feet.’

Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu performed the Cha Cha Cha and received 35 points.

James Bye and Amy Dowden danced the Quickstep and were awarded 32 points.

Fleur East and Vito Coppola wowed the judges with the Argentine Tango to The Rolling Stones’ Paint It Black – after being in the bottom two last week – and won a score of 38.

Next up was Kym Marsh and Graziano Di Prima, who danced the Samba to 32 points. 

Tony Adams and Katya Jones danced the American Smooth, with fellow footballer David Seaman making a surprise appearance during rehearsals to support his pal.

Before they won a score of 26, Craig Revel Horwood said: ‘Better,’ having only awarded two points last week with Motsi adding, ‘You guys were brilliant, well done.’

Hamza and Jowita danced a Salsa to Ecuador by Sash and received a standing ovation from the audience. The judges awarded them the highest score of the series, 39.

Motsi said: ‘You have so much rhythm. You shut the house down!’ while Shirley added: ‘You are so humble in receiving your comments, whether they’re good or bad. You are Daddy Cool now. It was perfecto.’ 

Helen Skelton and Gorka Márquez danced the Pasodoble to a score of 29 with Anton saying: ‘I thought you did it tremendously,’ but Shirley said she wanted more confidence, and Craig claiming the presenter could have brought more power.

Johannes Radebe and Ellie Taylor danced the Viennese Waltz to a shepherd-themed routine and ultimately bagged themselves 30 points.

Shirley said: ‘Lovely improvement, you did some lovely footwork, there was no rattling in the frame, you managed to stay on his right side and that was impressive in itself. Beautiful soft knees, I think you did very, very well.’ 

For their couple’s Tyler West and Dianne Buswell opted for a street dance routine to a medley of garage and pop tracks. Going down a hit with the judges, Anton said: ‘It was spectacular. It was brilliant, clean, timing was amazing, dancing on the decks, absolutely brilliant.’ They won 37 points.

It comes after Shirley was accused of sexism and racism in a furious social media pile on following last week’s episode.

Shirley, who landed the head judge role in 2017, is at the centre of a new fix row as some Twitter users demand she is sacked over her critique of this series’ celebrity contestants.

Sunday night saw the public vote singer Fleur East into the the dance off alongside Radio 2 star Richie Anderson. 

While Shirley’s three co-judges voted to save Fleur, Shirley admitted she would have saved Richie. 

Alongside claims she favours male contestants on the show, Shirley has been accused of having ‘favourites whether they have ability or not’, with many arguing that Fleur had been the superior dancer to Richie. 

She has also come under attack for flirty comments about male contestants after she described Will Mellor as ‘easy on the eye’. 

Fans have since defended the TV personality against the ‘uber woke’ brigade, pointing out her role on the show is to be a judge and offer criticism to help the celebrities improve. 

Shirley is a three time Latin American Champion, 10-time US Latin American Champion, and multiple-times British National Champion, with many fans pointing out her extensive experience in defence of the star. 

Meanwhile, appearing on Wednesday’s episode of Loose Women, Shirley insisted ‘I don’t have a mean bone in my body’ as she called out the ‘hurtful’ and ‘explicit’ comments online. 

‘The backlash and trolling has been a lot,’ Shirley told the Loose Women panel.

‘I appreciate the audience has been there for 20 years,’ she continued, ‘but when you watch a screen you can only see half of what I see, the feet and everything. I love that they have an opinion but then it goes overboard and its not nice.’

‘It’s a tough industry and has been a tough industry all my life,’ she said before her voice cracked and she admitted ‘I’m getting emotional already.’

‘Saturdays are the ultimate job. I do read everything. I know people say not to but I think it’s quite important. I like to think I’ve helped so many people over the years, people with mental health issues.’

‘But it is really hurtful, some of the language is so explicit I couldn’t even retweet it, its unfathomable.’

With another star set to lose their place on the show this week, the pressure will be on as the remaining contestants try to make it through to Week Four’s BBC Centenary special.

Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One at 7:15pm on Sunday – when one more couple will be eliminated from the contest.