Strictly Come Dancing star George Clarke struggled to contain his emotions as he opened up about his mother's harrowing health battles, revealing a secret condition she has endured alongside cancer. The 26-year-old social media personality, who gained fame online before joining the BBC dancing competition last year, appeared on This Morning with hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard, where he detailed the family's rarely discussed ordeal.
Emotional Revelation on Live Television
George Clarke, known for his vibrant presence on Strictly, broke down in tears while discussing his mum Nicky's diagnosis of encephalitis, a severe brain inflammation caused by viral infections that prompts the immune system to attack brain cells. He recounted how, at age 16, his mother collapsed at home, was rushed to hospital, and placed in an induced coma with just a 20 percent chance of survival.
A Heart-Wrenching Family Crisis
Holding back tears, George described the traumatic moment he discovered his mum having a seizure. "I was ready to go and play hockey, my mum was upstairs and feeling ill," he explained. "My dad went to check on her and saw her having a fit. It was horrible—the ambulance arrived and took her downstairs. She looked at me but through me, as if unaware of who I was, which was really hard to deal with."
He praised his father, Sean Clarke, for shielding him and his siblings from the full severity of the situation. "Dad didn't tell us; he came home saying she'd be okay, even though she had that slim survival chance. He tried to bear the burden alone to protect us," George added, his voice wavering.
Ongoing Health Struggles and Impact
Thankfully, Nicky pulled through, but George revealed she continues to face daily challenges due to encephalitis. "She's lost all sense of taste and smell, much of her long-term memory is gone, her sleeping pattern is disrupted, and she deals badly with loud noises," he shared. Despite this, he emphasized her resilience, calling her "the loveliest person in the world."
Dedication on Strictly Come Dancing
In November, George dedicated a dance on Strictly Come Dancing to his mum, moving fans and head judge Shirley Ballas to tears. In a pre-recorded video, he highlighted her selflessness, noting that after hospital stays, she apologized to the family as if she had control over her illnesses. "Nobody deserves to be put through what she has been through, and least of all her," he emotionally stated.
Fans on social media expressed support, with one writing, "George's story about his mum got me emotional—sending so much love to her and him," while another noted, "Wow, had no idea George's mum has cancer. That will come as a shock to his fans." Despite the emotional tribute, judges critiqued George's technical skills, awarding the routine 30 out of 40 points.
Raising Awareness and Family Background
George has used platforms like TikTok to raise awareness about encephalitis, sharing that his mum's survival odds were dire and detailing her lasting symptoms. He also touched on her ongoing cancer battle, stating she handles it with remarkable strength. "Even through cancer treatment, you would really have no idea... she's incredible," he said.
The influencer's father, Sean Clarke, is the managing director of Aardman Animations, the studio behind Wallace and Gromit. Sean started at the company in 1998, co-producing films like Early Man and the Shaun The Sheep movies, and was appointed head of the operation in 2019.
Understanding Encephalitis
Encephalitis is an uncommon but serious condition where the brain becomes inflamed, often due to viral infections. It can be life-threatening, requiring urgent hospital treatment, with symptoms including confusion, disorientation, and seizures. According to the NHS, it affects people of all ages but poses higher risks to the very young and elderly.
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1 and ITVX, providing a platform for such heartfelt discussions on health and family struggles.
