Strictly Come Dancing stars overcome with emotion as they rehearse Sir Bruce Forsyth tribute

Neil and Katya Jones said viewers will be in tears
Double act: Sir Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly
Getty Images Europe
Emma Powell5 September 2017

The stars of Strictly Come Dancing have warned viewers that the planned tribute for the late Sir Bruce Forsyth will be emotional.

Professional dancers, and husband and wife duo, Neil and Katya Jones said they were close to tears during rehearsals ahead of the show’s return to TV this weekend.

Speaking to the Express, Katya said: “We are definitely putting our hearts and souls into the performance.

“It’s going to be emotional because even in practise, we all got very emotional.”

Emotional: Professionals Neil and Katya Jones
Matt Crossick/PA

Forsyth died, aged 89, on August 18.

He had presented the BBC ballroom show alongside Tess Daly for a decade before stepping down and handing the reins over to Claudia Winkleman.

Neil said the tribute is fitting for a man who “was the show”.

He said: “I’ve been watching him all my life, we loved him and we want to show him as much respect as possible.

“There's a beautiful number for him and we can't wait to show everyone. It was [moving], I don't want to give it away but I imagine the audience are going to be in tears.”

This year’s contestants have also promised to make the legendary entertainer “proud”.

Strictly Come Dancing 2017 - In pictures

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Ruth Langsford, who is the favourite to be booted off first, said the news of his death “took the sheen” off her excitement at joining the show.

Speaking at the launch night she said: “I don’t think he would want any of us to not be enjoying this. And he was such a fabulous dancer, so I think this year, he’ll be very much in our thoughts. All of us will really be doing it for him, as much for ourselves.”

Mollie King added: “As the class of 2017, we really want to make him proud.

“And we want to just dance our socks off, give it everything. He has been such a huge part of Strictly.”

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One on Saturday at 7:05pm.

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