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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Frances Kindon & Danielle Kate Wroe

Strictly: Tyler West felt 'helpless' when beloved mum was rushed to hospital with mystery illness

Tyler West has his eyes set on the prize, hoping to lift the coveted Glitterball Trophy on Strictly Come Dancing this year.

Paired with professional partner Dianne Buswell, the KISS FM star is so dedicated to winning that he's moved back in with his mum, NHS worker Debbie, who he says is his biggest supporter.

Tyler, 26, says that he wants to win the competition 'for her' after she raised him and his brother alone when his dad walked out on them when they were kids.

He told the Mirror: "When this came around, it was such a big thing for me and my mum. She's a huge fan. I'm doing it for you, mum."

Tyler West with his brother Lewis West, and their beloved mother Debbie (Copyright 2022. All rights reserved.)

But while Tyler was preparing for Strictly, his routine was unexpectedly thrown into chaos when his beloved 56-year-old mum was blue-lighted to hospital.

He recalled how worrying it was to see his mum in that position, not knowing what was wrong or how to help.

He said: "When you're running a million miles an hour, it's that reminder to take a moment, give a phone call to that loved one. There was a moment when I was in the back of the ambulance with the blue lights going.

"They were trying to help my mum and I felt helpless."

Tyler has swapped presenting for pirouettes whilst taking part on Strictly (PA)

It turned out that she was suffering from an infection and has since made a full recovery. "Thankfully she's all right and back in good health but it was an eye-opener," he added.

The MTV News host – who started out on CBBC and has since fronted BBC Three show Flat Out Fabulous – had a difficult start in life, experiencing racism while growing up in Croydon, South London, as his mum, a nurse for 21 years, struggled to make ends meet. She tried to remain stoic and hid her financial woes from Tyler and his brother Lewis, 31.

Reflecting on his upbringing, Tyler said: "I grew up on a pretty racist estate. It prepared me for anything in life.

"The estate wasn't pleasant – there was a lot of crime – but it made us stronger."

Tyler said that his mum kept him and his brother on the straight and narrow, saying 'it could have gone either way'.

He said that the way the pair have turned out is a 'testament to my mum'.

Who do you want to win Strictly this year? Have your say in the comments section below...

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