YouTube sensation George Clarke has shared a profoundly emotional confession about his upcoming performance on Strictly Come Dancing, revealing that this weekend's routine holds a significance that stretches far beyond the dance floor.
A Dance Steeped in Family Emotion
Appearing on Wednesday's episode of the BBC companion show It Takes Two, the 25-year-old star opened up about the immense pressure he feels ahead of his Rumba this Saturday. He will perform the challenging dance with his professional partner, Alexis Warr, to a deeply personal song choice: Lily Allen's cover of Keane's 'Somewhere Only We Know'.
The track was sung by his sister at his grandfather's funeral, making the performance a direct tribute to his family. Clarke emotionally explained, "It definitely will be. Especially considering the past few weeks have been much much more 'ok I can do the steps but can I perform?'"
He continued, "I feel like the steps are very important but the performance is everything to me because it's a song that means a lot to me and my family. And yeah it is hard this week to not put the pressure on myself because it is a dance that I want to get right even more so."
Host's Reassurance and Family Tributes
Seeing his vulnerability, It Takes Two presenter Janette Manrara was quick to offer comfort and crucial advice. She reminded him, "You have got to let that go so you can enjoy it because it is about enjoyment. Like we was this past week!"
This poignant moment follows Clarke's earlier revelation about the song's origin. He had previously admitted, "So my sister sang the song Somewhere Only We Know at my grandad's funeral and it's a song that means a lot to my whole family."
He dedicated the dance to his mother, who has endured a difficult ten years, stating, "My mum has had a lot of trouble in the last 10 years so I thought it'd be nice to use this platform to devote something to her and the rest of the family."
The Social Media Edge and Path to Victory
Despite his consistent high scores, Clarke confessed that the performance aspect of the competition feels "really strange" to him, as it's not something he is accustomed to.
However, his innate understanding of digital platforms may be giving him a significant advantage. Celebrity and PR expert Kayley Cornelius speculated that Clarke's social media savviness is a major asset. "He's bringing in a lot more of the viewers this year," she noted, highlighting his 2.4 million TikTok followers.
Cornelius explained that the recent shift to online voting plays directly into his strengths, calling it his "bread and butter." She concluded, "He's worked really hard, he's performing well, and he's just an all-round lovely person. So I think a combination of all three of those things will take him right to the finish line." With the betting markets currently in his favour, it appears this emotionally charged performance could be a pivotal moment in his Strictly journey.
