Strictly Come Dancing 2021: ‘It’s a day of celebration’ Ugo Monye reveals he attended his father’s FUNERAL hours before his first performance in the competition
Ugo Monye revealed he attended his father’s funeral hours before his first Strictly Come Dancing performance on Saturday night.
The rugby union player, 38, left the show’s audience and judges in shock as he sweetly dedicated his first dance as a ‘celebration’ of his late dad.
He told the show’s presenter Claudia Winkleman: ‘My dad passed away a couple of weeks ago [from] prostate cancer, we had his funeral this morning.’
Shocking: Ugo Monye revealed he attended his father’s funeral hours before his first Strictly Come Dancing performance on Saturday night (pictured with Oti Mabuse)
Ugo made the touching tribute to his father after taking to the dancefloor to perform a lively samba with his professional partner Oti Mabuse.
Of his father’s funeral, Ugo told Claudia: ‘During the funeral they spoke about today being a day of celebration and that’s exactly how today felt.
‘There’s no better way of celebrating than by dancing, so tonight feels really special.’
Oti beamed with pride as she stood next to Ugo in support while he made the heartfelt speech in honour of his dad.
Celebration: The rugby union player left the show’s audience and judges in shock as he sweetly dedicated his first dance as a ‘celebration’ of his late dad
Giving it his all: Ugo made the touching tribute to his father after taking to the dancefloor to perform a lively samba with his professional partner Oti
Although Ugo only scored 18 out of 40, he definitely impressed judge Shirley Ballas with his moves.
Ugo and Oti took to the dance floor with vigour as they twisted and turned to The Dixie Cup’s hit 80s track Iko Iko.
She gushed: ‘You’ve got all the gear, my dear! There’s not a part of your body that doesn’t want to move, even if it’s not supposed to, it wants to.
‘You had the volta going the opposite way but you reinvented the volta. You make me feel good baby!’
Scoreboard: Although Ugo only scored 18 out of 40, he definitely impressed judge Shirley Ballas with his moves
Big fan: Shirley gushed: ‘You’ve got all the gear, my dear! There’s not a part of your body that doesn’t want to move, even if it’s not supposed to, it wants to’
Speaking previously about his reasons for taking part in Strictly, Ugo said: My two beautiful daughters never had a chance to see me on the rugby pitch.
‘So, to know they can watch me waltzing and twirling every week is really special to me.
‘I love an outfit at the best of times, so bring on the sequins,’ he cheekily added.
Family first: Speaking previously about his reasons for taking part in Strictly, Ugo said it was ‘special’ to know his daughters could watch him dancing every week