Jayde Adams has revealed that she chose to have a same-sex partner in Strictly Come Dancing, to honour her late sister Jenna, who died in 2011 aged 26 from an inoperable brain tumour.
The comedian, 37, who is partnered with Karen Hauer, confessed that her last dance partner had been her sister, so dancing with another woman ‘felt natural’.
Speaking in the BBC current affairs series We Are England, as reported in The Sun, Jayde explained: ‘The last time I danced was actually with my sister . . . so this felt really natural for me.’
Tribute: Jayde Adams has revealed that she chose to have a same-sex partner in Strictly Come Dancing, to honour her late sister Jenna, who died in 2011 aged 26 from an inoperable brain tumour
Elsewhere in the interview Jayde spoke about how her sister always protected her growing up.
She recalled: ‘One time a lad at school smacked me in the stomach with a hockey stick. My sister found out, came charging through the corridors and beat seven bells out of him. She used to fight all my battles, so much so that when she died I didn’t know who or what I was.’
She explained how her sister had asked her to ‘keep making everyone laugh’ after being diagnosed with brain cancer.
Loss: The comedian (left), 37, who is partnered with Karen Hauer, confessed that her last dance partner had been her sister (right), so dancing with another woman ‘felt natural’ (pictured with Jenna)
Jayde explained how she used her sense of humour to help her get through, and it was how she realised she had a gift for comedy.
She said: ‘It always sounds trite when I say it like this, but it’s true. It was around my sister’s deathbed where I was making everyone laugh that I knew that I should be a comedian.
It comes after Jayde took to Instagram to poignantly share pictures of her and Jenna as they danced together in their teens as well as a shot of a young Jenna beaming for the camera.
Memories: It comes after Jayde (left) took to Instagram to poignantly share pictures of her and Jenna (right) as they danced together in their teens as well as a shot of a young Jenna beaming for the camera
She penned: ‘Last picture we ever had together. Her love for me was so strong, I’ll never ever feel unloved in my life’.
‘I will grieve my loss for her for the rest of my life, it is the most important thing that has ever happened and I am beyond grateful to be able to channel my grief through creativity, thank you @bbcstrictly @karenhauer’.
‘This is Jenna Adams everyone, she will never be forgotten. And yes she would be so proud of me, astounded @claudiawinkle said her name and very jealous I’m on Strictly, we loved this show together’.
Tears: The comedian (left) dedicated her dance on Saturday’s show to her beloved sibling, admitted that she would grieve the loss for the rest of her life
Strictly host Claudia Winkleman commented three love heart emoji’s beneath the post.
During Saturday’s show Jayde spoke about the lyrics to Bette Middler’s Wind Beneath My Wings which was chosen for their spectacular routine, which was dedicated to Jenna.
She said: ‘The lyrics really resonate… she was two years older than me and she died 11 years ago. I didn’t just lose a sister, I lost a best friend, a dance partner. This song in particular is very special to me and my family and I hope I can do it justice this week.’
Sweet: Another image featured the late Jenna as a youngster as she beamed sweetly for the camera
Emotion: She penned: ‘Last picture we ever had together. Her love for me was so strong, I’ll never ever feel unloved in my life’
Following the routine, a teary-eyed Shirley Ballas said: ‘I feel like you’re my hero. You’ve represented this number with everybody who’s lost a loved one. I’m really emotional. I’m sure your sister would be proud of you.’
Speaking to Claudia afterwards, Jayde burst into hysterical tears, saying: ‘Something she said to my mum before she died, “Do you think people will forget me?” You just said her name on this and…
‘I’m so lucky that I get to do this because so many people lose people and grief is so difficult. To be able to keep the promise that we wouldn’t let people forget her is the greatest gift.’
Emotional: She scored an impressive 31 points for the performance and also poignantly shared pictures of the pair as they danced together in their teens saying she knew her sister would be ‘so proud’ of her
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