Bristol’s Strictly Come Dancing Star Jayde Adams has defended her decision to talk about the death of her sister Jenna 11 years ago, and dedicate Saturday’s dance on the show for her. The Bedminster comedian and actor said she understood why some people didn’t understand why she shared her sister’s story - but explained in detail why it was important to her.
The Strictly star and her dance partner Karen Hauer danced an American Smooth to the classic 80s ballad Wind Beneath My Wings, and Jayde spoke for the first time on Strictly about her sister Jenna, who died in 2011.
Last year, to mark the tenth anniversary of her death and to explain part of the reason why she was moving back to Bristol, Jayde spoke for the first time publicly about her death to Bristol Live, and how her career as a stand-up comedian, TV presenter and actor was motivated by Jenna’s encouragement in her final days and weeks.
The sisters grew up dancing in competitions across the country, and trained at her aunt’s dancing club in Henleaze. So, after some people criticised her on social media for talking about her sister on Strictly, with some trolls labelling it a ‘sob story’, Jayde explained in detail about grief, her sister and why she wanted to share the story.
The Bedminster comedian was visibly emotional after the dance, especially when Claudia Winkleman talked about Jenna, and in the explanation, Jayde said British people traditionally don’t deal with grief and death particularly well.
“As a comedian it was difficult to know how to react to The Queen’s death so I decided to stay quiet about it online,” she began. “After observing thousands of people queuing to pay their respects to someone they didn’t know, I didn’t find anything funny in it.
“They queued for 24 hours, outside, over night, in the cold and as another person in the TV industry, who hates queuing and being cold, that struck a massive chord with me. On TV that week there were emotional taxi drivers unable to hold back the tears for the camera, normally private celebrities turned up, kids, grandparents, many people didn’t understand why. But I did,” she added.
“It’s not in our culture to talk (or) celebrate the dead, but when it happens it’s all you think about and want to talk about. I saw a funeral in Mexico on a holiday once, which looked more like a pride event. But over here, it’s not the way we do it.
“It happens to us and we’re expected to keep calm and move on. Funerals are black and sombre and over-sentimentality is often met with eye rolls and sarcasm,” she said.
“‘In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes’ said Benjamin Franklin (and the film Meet Joe Black where I actually first heard it). And as I have experienced, creativity is a great way to channel trauma. This week’s Strictly was full of pathos and I for one, am here for it,” she added.
“Dancing with my sister for 13 years is the reason I wanted to dance with a woman, she’s the reason I wanted to dance again. For me it’s all connected. I’m a comedian, an actress and a person on TV, but I’m also a little sister who is missing her big sister and all of my best work involves her, and I’m proud to have shared ner name with over eight million people,” she said.
“Channelling my feelings for my big sister’s death through art and creativity has literally saved my life. Thanks to everyone who has shared their story with me.
“And I get it if you don’t understand why I would agree to share our story, or if you were uncomfortable with it, don’t worry, it’s a Charleston to Victoria Wood this week for the BBC Centennial celebrations. Loads of fun babe,” she added.
Last year, Jayde told Bristol Live of her backing for Brain Tumour Support and how before she died, Jenna had told her to keep making people laugh - which gave her inspiration to go for a stand-up comedy career which has now lead to acting roles in shows like Alma’s Not Normal and TV presenting jobs on shows like Snackmasters.
She told Bristol Live last September: “Before she died, Jenna said to me ‘can you make sure that no one forgets me’,” Jayde said. ”When my sister died, I was determined. I had this new sense of responsibility to live not just my own life, but hers as well.”
Read next
- Strictly Come Dancing's Jayde Adams hopes to make women 'more confident'
- Strictly Come Dancing's Craig Revel Horwood set to juggle the ballroom with Bristol panto
- Strictly Come Dancing's Jayde Adams thanks 'nice people' for checking in on her after being trolled by bodyshamers
- Strictly Come Dancing: Jayde Adams' partner Karen Hauer tells her to 'go away' in hilarious video
- Strictly Come Dancing: Jayde Adams makes sister Jenna proud with tearful dance tribute
- Jayde Adams shares last picture with late sister Jenna in 'beautiful' tribute
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