Gladiators star Jodie Ounsley came close to pulling out of the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special following the sudden death of her father.
The 24-year-old, who competes as Fury on the BBC show, lost her father Phil just days after her participation in the festive episode was announced.
Phil Ounsley, a former West Yorkshire Police inspector and mixed martial arts expert, collapsed while walking Pen-y-ghent in the Yorkshire Dales. The 56-year-old had climbed the 2,277ft peak countless times throughout his life.
Paramedics attempted to save him, and he was airlifted from the mountain, but the rescue effort proved unsuccessful.
BBC Strictly: Jodie Ounsley and Neil Jones
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“I was in two minds of whether to go ahead,” Ms Ounsley told the Mirror, describing how her world was turned upside down in the harrowing days that followed.
It was her mother who persuaded her to carry on, reminding her daughter how thrilled Phil had been when she agreed to take part.
“I think if my mum had not encouraged me to carry on, I wouldn’t have,” Ms Ounsley admitted. “It sounds cheesy but he was literally my hero.
“We trained together all the time, he’d just be there any day if I needed help.”
BBC Strictly: Jodie Ounsley
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BBC
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The Dewsbury-born athlete recalled her father’s initial reaction to her Strictly casting. “At first he was a bit like, ‘What, dancing!?'”
She went on: “But I think that’s why he was so excited, because he was like, ‘This is completely different for you and even though it’s so alien, I think it would be a great chance for you to try something new and kind of just challenge yourself’.”
Despite her grief, Ms Ounsley will take to the ballroom tomorrow alongside professional partner Neil Jones.
“It’s weird because on the inside I am heartbroken but people like Neil and the guys at Strictly are just putting a smile on my face,” she said.
BBC Strictly: This year’s Strictly Christmas special
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BBC
The pair will perform a Street Commercial routine to Red Christmas by Kylie Cantrall, featuring elements that pay tribute to her Gladiators persona.
“It’s a great nod to Gladiators and there’s some coal carrying too,” Ms Ounsley explained. “We’ve got some fun bits in there: I’m going to try and flip Neil!”
Her partner described the performance as “high energy and lots of fun.”
Ms Ounsley intends to honour her father through her dancing. “I do feel like he’s kind of not left me,” she said. “I’m just gonna imagine that he’s there watching and I’m gonna dance like he’s there and then do my best.”
BBC Strictly: Jodie Ounsley
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PA
Ms Ounsley, who was born profoundly deaf and received a cochlear implant as a toddler after being born premature, has faced additional challenges in learning her routine.
Unable to hear the music clearly, she relies on feeling the beat through her body and following Mr Jones’ lead.
Fellow deaf Strictly alumni have rallied around her. Rose Ayling-Ellis, who became the first deaf winner in 2021, advised her to enjoy the experience without overthinking it.
Tasha Ghouri, who competed last year, has also offered encouragement. “They were both like, ‘just have fun’,” Ms Ounsley said.
“It’s Christmas as well, so that’s what I’m kind of channelling really. The pressure’s off, no dance off or anything like that!”
