Strictly fans 'in bits' as Rose and Giovanni’s dance features 'powerful silent moment'

Strictly Come Dancing fans were in tears on Saturday night as Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice closed the show.

The pair performed their Couple's Choice dance to Symphony by Clean Bandit and Zara Larsson and there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

The emotional routine featured a "silent moment" in reference to Rose being deaf, and it certainly touched the judges and those watching at home.

Judge Anton Du Beke's voice broke as he attempted to give the couple some feedback.

He began: "You get moments like this and I've been doing the show since the beginning and we've had the great pleasure and honour of being on Strictly Come Dancing for a long time... I'm getting a bit emotional...

Strictly Come Dancing fans were in tears on Saturday night as Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice closed the show (BBC)

"And... that's the greatest thing I've ever seen in the show. Congratulations," he added, trying to hold it together.

Craig Revel Horwood then simply added: "My darling, FAB-U-LOUS!"

Head judge Shirley Ballas told Rose: "I feel, first of all, I should stand up out of respect for you sharing, particularly the silent moment, because I was not expecting it and it takes you into a much deeper place.

The pair performed their Couple's Choice dance to Symphony by Clean Bandit and Zara Larsson and there wasn't a dry eye in the house (BBC/Guy Levy)

"I'm sure the deaf community will be absolutely so proud of you for sharing your heart and for being so true and for people seeing that a beautiful young lady like you can be so successful.

"This is a number that will be etched in my heart for a long, long time. It was absolutely beautiful," she said.

Motsi Mabuse added: "I feel like saying thank you because this was such a beautiful moment to include us in your world and for us to actually understand how important and how aware we all could be of each other, generally everywhere."

Rose had a few kind words to say to her partner Giovanni following their dance (BBC)

Strictly fans immediately took to Twitter to praise Rose and Giovanni for their performance.

"I’m in bits! Rose is AMAZING #Strictly," one person posted.

Another tweeted: "Rose & Giovanni's dance was so beautiful. I just love them so much, seeing a different side to Gio this series and seeing how honest and vulnerable their friendship is #Strictly."

Someone else posted: "Rose is absolutely phenomenal #Strictly that was perfect."

The pair were shown a special video message from students and staff at Hamilton Lodge School and College, which was conveyed using sign language (BBC)

And a fourth person added: "Rose… just astonishing! There’s no words. #Strictly #strictlycomedancing."

Another viewer tweeted: "Motsi is a completely right. That was a moment. Tears streaming down my face during the silent section of #Rose and Giovanni's dance. So powerful. #Strictly."

As Rose and Giovanni joined host Claudia Winkleman to find out their scores, the soap star announced she had a few words for her dance partner.

Judge Anton Du Beke became emotional as he told Rose it was the best thing he's ever seen on the show (BBC)

"I feel very, very thankful for your determination to make this dance the most positive, happy dance it can be because you know that being deaf, there's nothing wrong, it's such a joy to be deaf and I think that says a lot about you as a person," she told him.

The pair were then shown a special video message from students and staff at Hamilton Lodge School and College, which was conveyed using sign language.

Giovanni then became rather emotional as he told Claudia: "It was just wonderful, the whole week. What the judges just said, it's exactly how I feel every single day when I walk into the room.

"The positivity that she gives to me every single day is just out of this world."

Turning to Rose, he then added: "So, I'm the one who is very thankful to you so thank you so much!"

Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturday on BBC One.