Bristol’s Strictly star Jayde Adams fought back the tears after a stunning debut performance on the dance competition tonight. The Bedminster comedian and actor danced the Samba with partner Karen Hauer, and admitted being ‘overwhelmed’ by the experience on the show for the first time.
Dancing to Dirty by Christina Aguilera, she received a standing ovation from the audience and judges Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas, scoring 23 from the judges. Immediately after finishing the dance, the former Bedminster Asda fish counter worker was nearly overcome with emotion and asked presenter Tess Daly to pinch her.
And after being critiqued by the judges, she fought back the tears and said: “If I think about it too hard I’ll cry, and I don’t want to start off doing that every single week, but it’s so overwhelming. It’s amazing, I can’t believe I just did that."
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She also paid tribute to her professional partner Karen Hauer, and said: “We get to do this once a week but it’s all about you baby, this whole strictly experience is through you and I’m so proud. It’s been a great time rehearsing with her and I love you so much, it’s brilliant,” she added.
Jayde admitted being a ‘Strictly Superfan’ at Friday’s launch show, saying that if you ‘cut me open there’ll be Bristol on one side and Strictly on the other like a stick of rock’. She told viewers: “I’ll be honest with you, most of this feels like I’m in a dream still - like, what is this? I didn’t think there could be any more fabulousness in my life and then I meet this woman.
“I am having the best time of my life. This is the best thing I’ve ever done. This is everything I thought it would be and then a whole load of stuff added on top. You won’t see me just walking down the street anymore, I will glide, because I am a dancer now,” she added.
The judges praised Jayde’s attitude, even if she was a little ‘flat-footed’. “I don’t think I've ever seen on week one that much attitude coming down,” said head judge Shirley Ballas.
She added: "Just terrific and what I was also impressed with was the frame that you gave. Here all the way up you did absolutely magnificently. I do agree with Craig it was a little bit flat-footed. What a start young lady."
Jayde scored a creditable 23, and none of the celebrities face eviction on the first weekend.
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