Strictly Come Dancing viewers were left in tears on Friday as Caroline Flack was remembered on the show’s Christmas Countdown.
The programme, which marked the 25 best moments on the show in its 15 year history, paid tribute to the former champion by showing her ‘beautiful’ showdance and Charleston.
Caroline tragically took her own life aged 40 on February 15 in the run up to her trial for the alleged assault of her boyfriend Lewis Burton.
Looking back: Strictly viewers were left in tears on Friday as the show paid tribute to former winner Caroline Flack by showing her ‘beautiful’ showdance on Christmas Countdown
Caroline’s showdance, which she performed to Beverley Knight’s version of Angels with her pro partner Pasha Kovalev, was praised as ‘beautiful’ and passionate by the stars of the show as they looked back at the routine.
Coming in at number eight in the countdown, former winner Alesha Dixon said of the dance: ‘What was so beautiful about Caroline and Pasha’s showdance is she was her authentic self within the dance, you could see her heart, you could see her passion.’
While Craig Revel Horwood reminisced: ‘It was the first time, I think, a contemporary dance was done in a beautiful and imaginative way.
‘This dance made the countdown because its beautiful and it showed Caroline at her very best, beautiful technique and beautifully danced.’
Incredible: Caroline’s showdance, which she performed to Beverley Knight’s version of Angels with her pro partner Pasha Kovalev, was praised as ‘beautiful’ and passionate by the stars
Proud: Pasha was full of praise for the late star, as he said it was the first time she felt like ‘a dancer’ on the show: ‘Caroline managed to show her real emotions, and I think that’s the key’
While Pasha was full of praise for the late star, as he reflected on how it was the first time she felt like ‘a dancer’ on the show.
He explained: ‘In the dance Caroline managed to show her real emotions, and I think that’s the key, why the audience could connect to it and feel exactly what was going on in the dance.
‘The final dance was beautiful, I think at that point she really believed she is a dancer.’
Fans of the show were emotional while rewatching the performance, with many taking to Twitter to share their thoughts on the tribute.
Strong praise: Craig Revel Horwood reminisced: ‘It was the first time, I think, a contemporary dance was done in a beautiful and imaginative way’
One person wrote: ‘Not a dry eye in the house watching Caroline Flack on Strictly Come Dancing, just heartbreaking.’
While another viewer was full of emotion, as they said: ‘7pm. Mum and I are in floods at Caroline Flack.’
Another added: ‘I was watching the Christmas Strictly Come Dancing, and my heart just broke again for beautiful Caroline Flack during her show dance to Angels. To anyone struggling today, please seek help.’
And one fan wrote: ‘Bawling my eyes out at Caroline Flack being amazing on Strictly Countdown.’
Emotional: Fans of the show were emotional while rewatching the performance, with many taking to Twitter to share their thoughts on the tribute
Caroline’s Charleston was also remembered on the show, and the ‘iconic’ dance came in fifth place.
Professional dancer Janette Manrara was delighted by the dance, as she said: ‘I loved pasha and Caroline’s Charleston, every single lift, every single kick it was just iconic, it was an iconic Charleston.’
Looking back at the dance, and how his hat fell off during the performance, Pasha said: ‘Some people might have noticed that my hat fell on the floor, it was possible that we could slip on that hat so I had to kick it away from our path and make it look like it was part of the routine.’
Amazing performance: Caroline’s Charleston was also remembered on the show, and the ‘iconic’ dance came in fifth place
He went on: ‘I think Caroline was a really worthy champion. Winning Strictly is such an incredible feeling, it’s truly hard to describe, and for Caroline it was proof all her hard work paid off and she took home the Glitterball trophy.’
Janette added: ‘Caroline was a part of the strictly family then and still is of the strictly come dancing family today, I miss her.’
Caroline’s death was ruled a suicide in August this year, with coroner Mary Hassell saying Caroline had experienced ‘fluctuating ill health’ and was ‘distressed’ at the thought of facing a trial.
If you have been affected by this story, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org
Former champions: Pasha said of Caroline, Winning Strictly is such an incredible feeling… and for Caroline it was proof all her hard work paid off and she took home the Glitterball trophy’