BBC's Strictly Come Dancing took an emotional turn as celebrity contestant George Clarke revealed that his mother had been diagnosed with cancer after living with an already life-threatening and rare condition. The social media star was visibly moved during a VT clip which played during the Saturday (November 15) live show. Before taking to the dancefloor with pro Alexis Warr, the 25-year-old shared that the rumba would be dedicated to his mum, Nicky.

George announced: "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." Before sharing Nicky's heartbreaking condition, George lifted the lid on her previous health battles, including the moments that led to her being diagnosed with encephalitis, which affects about 4,000 people in the UK each year.

The YouTuber recalled: "When I was 16, I was about to leave for hockey practice with my dad, and he said, 'Oh, I'll just check on mum one more time, because she was feeling a bit ill.' He went upstairs, and she was having a seizure.

"She was diagnosed with a brain inflammation called encephalitis."

When speaking to his Strictly pro Alexis, George 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 she apologised for what she'd put us through."

A heart-warming moment revealed that Nicky was in the studio audience, cheering on George, alongside her husband and his dad, Shaun.

George added: "I always tell her I love her, but I guess this is more showing it. There is not a lot I can do to help, so to give her this is special."

According to the NHS, encephalitis is an uncommon but serious condition which causes the brain to swell and become inflamed. It can be life-threatening and requires urgent treatment in a hospital.

The condition can start with flu-like symptoms and include confusion or disorientation, seizures or fits, changes in personality and behaviour, difficulty speaking, weakness or loss of movement in some parts of the body or loss of consciousness.

With Alexis, George danced an emotional Rumba to Somewhere Only We Know, which ended in tears. Judge Anton Du Beke praised the pair's "beautiful compatibility", saying their "story is so strong" as they glide through their performances each week.