Dancing with the Stars professional dancer Denys Samson broke down in tears after his perfomance as he spoke out about his heartache over Russia’s attack on his native Ukraine.
Ukrainian Denys is a newcomer to the RTE show this year, and travelled to Ireland to begin training for the series before Christmas.
Speaking to host Nicky Byrne after the show, the emotional dancer said: "Everyone knows what is going on in Ukraine. My family is there, and my friends."
He went on to send a message to his family and friends back at home, before going on to thank Irish people for their support.
He said: “We will stay strong, Ukraine, we will not give up."
“I want to say thank you to everyone in Ireland, to Dublin, to the crew and producers in Dancing with the Stars, RTE, thank you so much for your support.”
The RTE show's judges and his fellow dancers and audience members gave the dancer a standing ovation and round of applause as he sent his love to his family and friends at home in their war torn country.
It comes after his celebrity partner, Dublin born singer Erica Cody, credited her partner for “powering through” this week despite the heartache and destruction in his war torn home country.
"It has been extremely difficult for him this week," Erica said.
The singer added: “The way you have been able to power through this week given everything that’s going on, I take my hat off to you and I am so beyond proud of you. I’ve got you always. Let’s go partner.”
She went on to thank fans and followers who have reached out to him over the week during the difficult time.
“Also massive thank you to everyone who reached out to send their love to Denys this week, you’ve no idea how much it means to him,” she added.
Fans at home said they were 'in bits' as the pair spoke about his heartache.
One wrote: "That was a tough watch. Well done Denys. We are with you."
"Poor man," another added, with crying face emojis.
"What a touching moment on #DWTS," a third added, while another tweeted: "My heart is breaking for Denys. Praying for everyone in Ukraine"
"Anyone watching #DWTSIRL will had to have been moved by watching Denys just there. The clear and raw emotion thinking of his family & friends back in Ukraine. You could see with Erica the scores were irrelevant there," someone else added.
Denys is a two-time 10 Dance World Champion and is also a two-time champion in his home country, as well as a Blackpool festival European Championship finalist.
No stranger to Dancing with the Stars, he took part in the Ukrainian version of the show as a professional dancer last year.
Speaking ahead of this year’s series, he said: "I’m super excited to be part of Dancing with the Stars here in Ireland. I’m fresh, I’m new and I’ve come all the way from Ukraine to be part of this amazing show, and of course, I would love to win!”
Denys and Erica scored a total of 25 points for their American Smooth on the show this evening.
After finding themselves in the first dance-off of the season last weekend, the judges credited them for coming back better than ever.
This weekend is Big Band Week with the dancers taking to the floor to perform their numbers to music performed by the RTE Concert Orchestra.
