BBC Strictly Come Dancing pay tribute to 'much loved' stars after tragic deaths

Strictly Come Dancing viewers were left emotional as the BBC show paid tribute to "much loved" stars who are no longer with us.

At the end of Saturday (September 14) night's launch show, pictures of former professional dancer Robin Windsor and the late Hairy Biker Dave Myers, who appeared as a contestant in 2013, came on the screen alongside a touching message, which read: "In loving memory of Dave Myers 1957-2024 and Robin Windsor 1979-2024."

Dave died on February 28, at the age of 66, with his family and friends by his side after a battle with cancer and Robin was found dead on February 19 aged 44 in a hotel room.

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Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan penned: "Oh the dedications to Dave and Robin at the end" alongside a series of crying face emojos. Another added: "Oh heck the Dave Myers and Robin Windsor tributes at the end took my breath away a bit."

A third person agreed: "Nice touch there at the end of #Strictly. Remembering Dave Myers and Robin Windsor." A fourth social media user said: "Touching tribute to Dave Meyers and Robin Windsor at the end of tonight's #Strictly I enjoyed the whole launch show."

Earlier in the show, viewers were left overcome with emotional as they spotted a touching nod to late presenter Sir Bruce Forsyth during the opening on the 2024 launch show.

Before the 15 nervous celebrities found out their professional dance partners, an energetic group number with Dave Arch, Tess Daly, Claudia Winkleman and all the judges aired as they joined this year's professional dancers.

They travelled to the BBC Television Centre via bus. And not just any bus, it was one that featured a very poignant nod to the show’s former host, the late Sir Bruce.

This year marks 20 years since Strictly first aired on BBC One. It was hosted by Tess and the late Sir Bruce when it launched back in 2004. Bruce sadly passed away in 2017, but the Beeb made sure that he wasn’t forgotten as the 20th anniversary celebrations got underway.

As Aljaz Skorjanec drove the bus into the studio, viewers watching at home spotted a poignant nod to Bruce in the bus’ number plate, and it brought many to tears.

As the special nod to Brucie left some fans sobbing, one viewer posted: "#Strictly #Scd What a lovely nod to Sir Bruce Forsyth #Bus #Strictlycomedancing."

Another added: "Loving the reg on the #Strictly bus, BRUCIE, never forgotten." "The tribute to Brucie on Strictly, nope not crying at all #Strictly," a third posted.

Someone else continued: "The Brucie licence plate on the bus has sent me already. I bloody love #Strictly." A fifth posted: "The Brucie numberplate. Nice touch #Strictly," while another viewer tweeted: "Omgg the bus is called Brucie #Strictly."

Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturdays and Sundays on BBC One