STRICTLY Come Dancing fans have been left in tears as loving tributes were paid to stars of the show no longer with us.
Strictly Come Dancing: 20 Fabulous Years revisited highlights from the past two decades while honouring the ballroom stars we’ve loved and lost.
At one point, it paid homage to celebrity competitors, pro dancers, and presenters who have passed away since the show began in 2004.
Love Island TV presenter Caroline Flack – who won the show in 2014 – sadly took her own life in February 2020, while professional dancer Robin Windsor faced challenges with depression, which contributed to his untimely death in February of this year.
Meanwhile former contestants Hairy Biker Dave Myers and Bill Turnbull as well as ex-Head Judge Len Goodman all lost their cancer battles.
And in 2017, the world said goodbye to the show’s legendary presenter Bruce Forsyth, who died of pneumonia aged 89.
The show paid tribute to all of them, honouring their contributions to the show and their lasting legacy.
Karen Hardy, who danced with journalist Bill in 2005, said: “Bill Turnbull’s memories will remain with me forever.
“We had the most phenomenal journey together, and I was blessed to have the opportunity to dance with him.”
Meanwhile Dave’s dance partner, Karen Hauer, said: “Dave Myers loved Strictly, he loved to dance, he loved to make people happy.”
Zoe Ball – who used to host spin-off show It Takes Two – added: “What a gentleman! He just made everything more fun.”
Karen then choked back tears as she said: “He was a friend I had for life and someone who meant a lot to me.”
Pro dancer Aljaz Skorjanec also paid tribute to Caroline Flack, whom he described as ” one of the most beautiful souls I have ever met.”
Andy Murray‘s mum Judy – who took part in the same series as Caroline – added: “She lit up a room when she came into it.”
Meanwhile judge and former pro dancer Craig Revel Horwood said of her: “I will always remember her spirit and her verve in Charleston. When I see Charleston, I see her every time.”
Robin Windsor was described as “Mr Strictly,” by fellow pro Janette Manrara, before adding: “He was camp as Christmas, more tanned than anyone I have ever seen before and didn’t mind wearing sequins on any part of his body.”
Strictly first kicked off back in 2004, and over the years has crowned 21 winners.
Here is a full list of who has been lucky enough to win the famous Glitterball Trophy:
Emmerdale star Lisa Riley, who was partnered with Robin in 2012, said: “Whoever decided to put me and Robin Windsor together deserves a trophy bigger than a glitterball.
She added: “I know he is up there dancing the foxtrot. As I read his eulogy I said, I’ll dance that foxtrot one day with you and I truly believe that. “
Brendan Cole paid tribute to Bruce, saying: “Sir Bruce, I can’t speak highly enough of him. I think he was just a master. “
Zoe added: “They don’t make them like Bruce Forsyth anymore and you knew how much he loved doing the show but he would be proud of the girls. “
Claudia Winkleman paid her own tribute, saying: “He had a swagger and a magic and he was incredibly generous with his attention and his manner and his love.”
The segment left Strictly fans in tears, with one writing on X: “Gosh, that was a bit of an emotional tribute to the dancers and stars that are no longer with us. It’s either early hay-fever or I’m not crying. You are.”
Another added: “I didn’t expect this #strictly doc to make me cry quite so much.“
A third tweeted: “these tributes are making me sob.”
Strictly Come Dancing: 20 Fabulous Years is available on BBC iPlayer.
