RTE viewers were all left “crying” as Olympian Jack Woolley dedicated his dance to Olympic hero Kellie Harrington on Dancing With The Stars.
The hit RTE show returned tonight with the highly anticipated Dedication Night, where each dancer paid tribute the people who have inspired them the most.
Jack danced a ‘breathtaking’ American Smooth tonight[/caption]
Jack dedicated his dance to Kellie Harrington[/caption]
Viewers and judges were blown away[/caption]
Nine celebrity contestants hit the dance floor for their fifth performance, hoping to impress both judges and viewers.
Brian Redmond, Arthur Gourounlian, Loraine Barry and new judge Karen Byrne were back to give their professional and tough-talking reviews and scores tonight.
For tonight’s show, Irish Taekwondo Olympian Jack Woolley decided to dedicate his dance to two time Olympic gold medal winner, Kellie Harrington.
Speaking fondly of Kellie on tonight’s show, Jack said: “Kellie is my biggest support and inspiration but most importantly she’s a friend.
“Two weeks after coming home from Tokyo Olympic Games, I was assaulted in Dublin City Centre and had to undergo plastic surgery and ended up getting twenty-seven stitches.
“She was the first person that turned up at my house to make sure I was feeling good and just to make sure I was okay.
“It meant a lot to me because I got to see that caring, loving side of Kellie that not many people get to see in the sporting world.”
In the aftermath of retaining her crown in the women’s 60kg division in Paris, Kellie did a bit of serenading as she led the crowd in a rendition of ‘Grace’ – a song synonymous with The Tones.
As Jack told Kellie he was performing to the much-loved song tonight, the Dubliner responded: “There won’t be a dry eye in the building.”
Jack was then left in tears as he explained: “Personally, this song is really important to me too.
“My Grandad had never actually met any of my partners and the first time he met my partner Dave was when Dave sang this song.
“My Grandad came over afterwards, gave me a hug and just said that he loves me and that he was very accepting of Dave into the family and that just meant so much.”
Jack and his pro partner Alex Vladimirov went on to dance an outstanding American Smooth to the heartwarming song.
And there certainly wasn’t a dry eye in the room after the touching performance, that left all four judges on their feet.
Speaking to Doireann afterwards, Jack got choked up as told how he was feeling “overwhelmed”.
The Dublin native said: “She’s just such an amazing person. Taekwondo is an individual sport and it feels lonely at times but she seen that and she took me under her wing.
‘PROUD TEARS’
“Not many people would do that, especially at her level.”
Jack and Alex were happier than ever as they received their first 10’s of the series and a total score of 38.
RTE viewers raced to social media to share their love for the touching performance.
Carmel said: “Omg this dance was breathtaking, they are just simply amazing.”
Becky wrote: “Not a dry eye here at home.”
Maria gushed: “Wow, so beautiful. I’m still crying.”
Richard commented: “What a beautiful dance, was in floods of proud tears.”
Another added: “Amazing and very emotional.”
