George is reflecting on his relationship with his dance partner, Alexis amidst his mum’s cancer diagnosis

George Clarke is feeling the pressure – but he admits he gets a kick out of being half of Strictly’s golden couple. He and Alexis Warr danced the quickstep to Frank Sinatra’s I Get a Kick Out of You on last night’s show, in an attempt to top their score of 39 out of 40 in Blackpool last week.

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YouTuber George, 25, said he is “going a bit mental” as rehearsals get tougher every week. And professional partner Alexis believes there is a simple answer: “We need him to eat breakfast and get proper sleep.”

The pair are still riding high after Blackpool and George says his body is finally adapting to Strictly life. “I think I’m getting fitter,” he says hopefully. “There is pressure now. It’s nice to dream, but we try to focus on each week.”

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George has said he is “going a bit mental” as he rehearses

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Alexis and George performed the quick step this week to Frank Sinatra

Alexis agrees: “We don’t try to manifest anything because if it doesn’t happen, you feel disappointed. We’re just enjoying the process.”

George’s charming turn on the Saturday night staple has earned him a whole new fanbase – including the Strictly mums. “We keep bumping into Sue outside Elstree Studios, a regular Strictly vlogger,” he says. “First time she couldn’t work her phone and asked us to take the photo. “Then the next person to recognise me was a kid going: ‘Yo, what’s my man doing here?’”

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But the person cheering the loudest is closer to home: His nan. “She’s been amazing,” George says. “She doesn’t normally vote, but she’s been using all five votes on me every week.”

Alexis, 25, remembers instantly knowing her partnership with George would be fun. She says: “He’s funny, witty, smart and proper.”

Despite Strictly being a competition, the pair insist there’s no rivalry dominating backstage. “George is the cheerleader of the group,” Alexis says. “It’s so cute.” For George, the worst part of the week is the results show. “Someone has to go, and everyone works so hard,” he said.

But perhaps the most emotional part of George’s Strictly journey is doing it for his mum, who was diagnosed with cancer recently. “She’s class,” he says. “She just asks: ‘Are you eating enough? How’s your dance this week?’ It just shows the sort of person she is.”

George revealed the news in a VT on the show. The TikTok sensation disclosed it wasn’t the first time his mum has faced health issues. Speaking directly to the camera, George said: “Unfortunately, recently she got diagnosed with cancer.” Nobody deserves what she has gone through, but least of all her. It feels like it’s taking up so much of her life now.”

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The pair are looking to the final now

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Before revealing the tragic cancer news, he opened up about her previous health battles. He recalled: “When I was 16, I was about to leave for hockey practise with my dad and he said ‘oh I’ll just check on mum one more time because she was feeling a bit ill. “Nobody deserves what she has gone through, but least of all her.”

He went upstairs and she was having a seizure. “She was diagnosed with a brain inflammation called encephalitis.”

Speaking to his professional partner Alexis Warr, he then added: “I had no idea what it was and most people that do know is because it has affected them in a horrible way.”

“She’s the most selfless person I’ve ever met. When she came out of hospital was apologise for what she’d put us through.”

Nicky was in the audience alongside her husband and George’s father, Shaun, to watch the emotional performance. After the performance, the judges thanked George for his openness about his mum’s diagnosis. Judge Motsi Mabuse added: “I wish her all the best and that we can live this life together.”