STRICTLY Come Dancing paid tribute to its lost stars of the show – leaving fans in tears.
The BBC show returned on Saturday night with a glittering and colourful launch show.
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It saw 15 celebrities paired with their pro partners, before they performed on the Strictly dance floor for the first time in a group number.
While the show was full of laughter and excitement for what the next few weeks will bring, it ended on a sombre note which touched the viewers at home.
After the camera cut away from the Strictly studio, a black screen appeared with a picture of Dave Myers and another of Robin Windsor across it.
At the top it said ‘In Loving Memory’ before adding each man’s name underneath their picture and the years of their birth and death.
Hairy Bikers star Dave appeared on the show as a contestant in 2013 and danced with Karen Hauer.
Dave passed away in February aged 66 after a battle with cancer.
Meanwhile Robin was a professional dancer on the show from 2010 until 2013, dancing with Lisa Riley, Deborah Meaden, Anita Dobson and Patsy Kensit.
He also died in February aged just 44 after being found in a hotel room in London.
Taking to X, one Strictly fan wrote: “Oh the dedications to Dave and Robin at the end” alongside tearful emojis.
Another added: “Oh heck the Dave Myers and Robin Windsor tributes at the end took my breath away a bit.”
A third tweeted: “Nice touch there at the end of #Strictly. Remembering Dave Myers and Robin Windsor.”
Meanwhile, the show also gave a touching nod to Bruce Forsyth, who had hosted the show from it’s first series in 2004 to 2013.
The show opened with a group routine from the professional dancers where they hopped on a Strictly bus while dancing to 90s tunes.
Eagle-eyed viewers spotted the bus’ number plate read ‘Brucie’, with one saying: “#Strictly #Scd What a lovely nod to Sir Bruce Forsyth #Bus #Strictlycomedancing.”
Another added: “Loving the reg on the #Strictly bus, BRUCIE, never forgotten.”
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The Hairy Bikers – Looking back on their career
Dave Myers and Si King, collectively known as the Hairy Bikers, were a popular presenting and cooking duo for 20 years. Sadly, Dave lost his battle with cancer in February 2024. Let’s take a look back at the pair’s TV journey.
- The Hairy Bikers Cookbook (2004-2008, BBC Two)
- The Hairy Bikers’ Food Tour of Britain (2009, BBC Two)
- Strictly Come Dancing (Dave took part in 2013, BBC One)
- The Hairy Bikers’ Asian Adventure (2014, BBC Two)
- The Hairy Bikers: Route 66 (2019, BBC Two)
- The Hairy Go North (2021, BBC Two)
Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One and is available on BBC iPlayer.
