Jayde dedicated her performance on Saturday to her sister (Picture: PA)
Strictly Come Dancing star Jayde Adams has shared the last photo she has with her sister before she died.
Jenna Adams died 11 years ago after doctors discovered a brain tumour following an out-of-the-blue seizure.
The comedian, 37, performed an emotional American smooth on Strictly this weekend to Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler, which she dedicated to her late older sister.
Speaking on the BBC dance show on Saturday night after reducing head judge Shirley Ballas to tears, the former Adele tribute act became incredibly tearful herself as she recalled her promise to her sister that people wouldn’t ‘forget’ her.
She shared how ‘amazing’ and ‘lucky’ she feels to be part of Strictly following her loss, and said being able to keep her sister’s memory alive on the show is ‘the most incredible gift that anyone could ever give me and my family.’
Taking to social media following the beautiful dance with pro partner Karen Hauer, Jayde posted an old snap which showed the siblings looking into each other’s eyes as Jayde placed her arm around Jenna.
Jayde shared the last photo she has with her older sister Jenna (Picture: Instagram)
She also shared two other snaps, one of Jenna as a young child and another of the sisters in their dancing days, as they frequently competed in competitions together.
Jayde wrote in her heartfelt caption: ‘Last picture we ever had together. Her love for me was so strong, I’ll never ever feel unloved in my life.’
After expressing how ‘difficult’ and ‘personal’ the grieving process is on TV, she added: ‘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.’
She also shared an adorable photo of Jenna, who died aged 28, when she was a child (Picture: Instagram)
The siblings used to love competing in dance competitions together (Picture: Instagram)
Jayde concluded: ‘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 🤣’.
She was met with an outpouring of love in the comments, with fellow Strictly stars and pros dropping a flurry of heart emoji.
The Greatest Showman star Keala Settle wrote: ‘Babes….💔✨🙏🏽 u were an absolute vision tonight.’
‘Jenna would be so proud!!!!! Xxxxx’, added Giovanna Fletcher.
It was an emotional night on Saturday for the comedian (Picture: BBC)
Jayde and Karen scored 31 points for their American smooth (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy)
Jayde and Karen scored 31 points for their routine on Saturday – a dance which was a stark contrast to the energetic, body positive Flashdance cha cha cha they performed the previous week.
The pair sailed through to week five after winning the nation’s hearts and votes, while, sadly, Matt Goss and Nadiya Bychkova were eliminated.
Earlier on this series, Jayde spoke candidly to The Guardian about her sister’s death at the age of 28, saying she’d ‘give it all up to spend a day with her.’
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Jenna’s 40th birthday will fall later in the series, and Jayde said it would be ‘amazing’ if she could make it through to Blackpool in her honour.
‘That would be amazing if I can last [until Blackpool]. She didn’t really watch [my stand-up]. But she would understand this. It will be bittersweet.’
Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturday and Sunday on BBC One.
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‘Her love for me was so strong.’