When Liverpudlian Simon Rimmer announced on Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two that his Waltz to You'll Never Walk Alone would be dedicated the victims of the Hillsborough Disaster, we knew it was going to be emotional.

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The TV chef witnessed the tragedy first-hand in 1989 and warned Zoe Ball: "I am genuinely concerned I may have a few tears at the end of it."

But while he became a little watery-eyed, it was Shirley Ballas who really struggled to hold back tears.

Shirley, who was born near Liverpool in Wallasey, called him over for a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

And while she usually focuses on technique and corrections, the Head Judge put that aside as she gave him some heartfelt feedback.

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simon rimmer hug

"I’m going to go with the emotional feeling," she said.

"It’s a very, very special piece of music you danced to today and that piece of music means so much to so many people for different reasons."

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The dance earned Simon and Karen a score of 19 - with the highest score of six coming, of course, from Shirley.

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