Strictly Come Dancing 2021 star Judi Love was full of emotion when she returned to the show tonight with her partner Graziano Di Prima, thanking the BBC show for helping to boost her health amid her Covid-19 recovery.
Last week, Loose Women star Judi was forced to miss Strictly after testing positive for coronavirus, sharing frequent updates with fans as she admitted going through a ‘rough’ time with the illness.
Fortunately, the comedian was able to come out of isolation in time for Halloween Week, when she and Graziano performed an upbeat 1980s-themed Cha-Cha to Physical by Olivia Newton-John.
After their performance, Judi told host Claudia Winkleman how grateful she felt to be back, describing her return as ‘amazing’ as she expressed how much she loves everyone taking part in the competition.
Judi appeared overcome with emotion after receiving a message of support from her loved ones, before thanking Strictly directly for the role the series has played in helping her build her strength back up.
‘I’ve got to say thanks to Strictly because doing this dance and getting healthier, fighting Covid, it really, really has helped me physically and health-wise and it’s just an amazing experience,’ she said, as Graziano pulled her in for a hug.
Judi and Graziano received 25 out of 40 for their performance, earning a four from Craig Revel Horwood and sevens from Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke.
Their score means that they are second from the bottom of the leaderboard, achieving two points higher than Sara Davies and Aljaž Škorjanec.
Several Strictly fans shared how delighted they were to see Judi return to the show after her brief hiatus.
‘I’m pleased that Judi is back and I have to commend her determination. Coming back to the show after suffering Covid. Good on you girl,’ one person tweeted.
‘Very impressed with Judi dancing just days after recovering from Covid. I can’t say I’m ready to dance a Cha Cha yet!’ another remarked.
Someone else wrote: ‘Judi was amazing, I missed her! Her technique isn’t that but she gives it her all and you can see how much it means to her. Brilliant!’
Judi is the second celebrity to have missed one week of the competition due to Covid, following McFly band member Tom Fletcher.
On Friday, Judi revealed her excitement over returning to the dancefloor, saying in a video filmed with Graziano: ‘I missed my baby, my dancing partner, but we’re back!’
The Strictly Come Dancing results show airs tomorrow night at 7.15pm on BBC One.
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