Strictly Come Dancing has paid tribute to some of the stars from of show that have sadly died since it began back in 2004.

The latest series of Strictly - which concluded last Saturday (December 14) with Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell taking home the glitterball trophy - marked the show's 20th anniversary.

To celebrate the occasion the BBC aired a documentary - Strictly Come Dancing: 20 Fabulous Years on Saturday (December 21) night.

Strictly Come Dancing pays tribute to stars of the show who have died

During the documentary, Strictly paid tribute to some of the stars the show had "loved and lost".

Opening the segment, host Tess Daly said: "Strictly really is a family. We're so fortunate to have made such life long friends and bonds with the people that have shared the stage with us."

Before Claudia Winkleman added: "On the year that marks our 20th anniversary we would like to remember the stars of the ballroom that we have dearly loved and lost."

The documentary made mention of:

  • Bill Turnbull (TV presenter)
  • Dave Myers (Hairy Bikers)
  • Caroline Flack (TV presenter)
  • Robin Windsor (Professional dancer)
  • Sir Bruce Forsyth (former Strictly host)
  • Len Goodman (former Strictly judge)

Celebrities who had competed on the show, professional dancers and the judges all shared their memories of the fallen stars.

Emmerdale star Lisa Riley, who competed with Windsor on Strictly back in 2012, described him, as "Mr Strictly" and said: "He's up there now dancing the foxtrot."

Strictly stars couldn't speak highly enough about Sir Bruce Forsyth, who along with Daly was one of the original hosts of the show back in 2004.

He departed the show in 2013 before dying four years later in 2017.

Tess Daly and Sir Bruce Forsyth were the original hosts on Strictly Come Dancing.Tess Daly and Sir Bruce Forsyth were the original hosts on Strictly Come Dancing. (Image: PA) While Anton Du Beke paid an emotional tribute to former judge Len Goodman, who passed away in 2023.

Du Beke said: "I find it hard to talk about Len without getting emotional because he was there at the very beginning and I loved him. He was incredible.

"If I can be half as good as Len, I will have done alright."

Daly concluded by saying: "They will forever be in our hearts and are sadly missed."

Fans get emotional during Strictly tribute

Fans were left in tears during the Strictly tribute, taking to Reddit to share just how emotional they thought it was.

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One person said: "Who's cutting onions?"

A second user added: "Oh I don't think I can cope with this (crying emoji)."

While a third Strictly fan commented: "Good god that's got me all welled up."