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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Katie Fitzpatrick

Strictly's Jayde Adams breaks down in tears after paying tribute to late sister with emotional dance

Comedian Jayde Adams broke down in tears after Strictly Come Dancing enabled her to fulfil her promise to her older sister. An emotional Jaye performed the tear-jerking ballad Wind Beneath My Wings from the classic film Beaches with her pro dance partner Karen Hauer.

Before the pair took to the dancefloor for their American Smooth, a clip from training showed Jayde become tearful as she told Karen how much the song, made famous by Bette Midler, means to her. Jayde and her sister Jenna would dance together to songs by Bette, their musical icon.

"I didn't just lose a sister, I lost a best friend," said Jayde. "I lost my dance partner. Her telling me to make people laugh was my calling." Jenna was only 23 when she was diagnosed with a high grade brain tumour and Jayde was two years younger.

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Jenna urged her younger sibling to tell jokes and lighten the mood during hospital visits. Jayde then started performing stand-up comedy in 2011, following her death from the inoperable brain tumour.

After their performance judge Motsi Mabuse said: "I think she would be so proud of you at this moment." And Jayde was told "thank you for doing that for everyone who has lost a loved one."

Jade and Karen performed to Wind Beneath My Wings (BBC)

Head judge Shirley Ballas told Jayde she was her 'hero' and said she was feeling "really, really emotional." As Jayde walked upstairs to talk to host Claudia Winkleman she burst into tears with the importance of the routine.

Recalling her sister's final words to her mum Jayde told Claudia: "She said 'do you think people will forget me? I feel so lucky I can do this. Grief is so difficult. To be able to keep the promise we wouldn't let people forget her is the most incredible gift you can give me or my family."

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