Strictly the Real Full Monty: Viewers in tears as Laila Morse bravely displays her scars

Virgin Radio

15 Dec 2021, 14:24

It was an emotional one for fans of the dance extravaganza, which saw 10 celebrities bare it all for a very good cause. 

Stars such as Christine McGuinness, Love Island’s Demi Jones and Teddy Soares, James and Ola Jordan, Duncan James, Colin Jackson, Martin Roberts and host Ashley Banjo stripped off to raise awareness of cancer and the importance of checking for symptoms. 

But it was the emotional finale featuring EastEnders legend Laila Morse, which had viewers in tears, after she bravely bared her breast cancer scars within the last moments of the show. 

Loose Women star Brenda Edwards started off the glittering finale by belting out The Greatest Showman’s This Is Me before joining the rest of the celebs in a ballroom routine. 

James and Ola Jordan also performed in front of photos and videos of his late father, who passed away from cancer earlier this year. 

Then the infamous Full Monty track - You Can Leave Your Hat On - played while the celebs literally bared all in the raunchy performance. 

Off came the thongs and bras for the big finish, and it was Laila bravely sharing her scars which had viewers at home bawling. 

Taking to Twitter, one viewer wrote: “Another amazing & powerful performance...Laila Morse you are a true warrior, so much respect to you”, while another tweeted: “Laila Morse is a true inspiration. What a woman. This programme is so important. Full of awe for everyone involved.”

A third said: “Watching Strictly the Full Monty it’s making my eyes leak…another amazing show”

During an emotional interview the show, Laila credited her late EastEnders co-star Wendy Richard for saving her life after persuading her to get a lump in her breast checked in 2000. 

Wendy, who played Pauline Fowler, passed away in 2009 after battling breast cancer, and insisted Laila get herself checked after discovering the lump. 

Laila was then diagnosed with breast cancer, but because the lump was found early, it was treatable, and she made a full recovery. 

During an emotional interview, Laila said she doesn’t think she ‘would still be here’ if Wendy hadn’t convinced her to seek out medical help.