In the latest season of the BBC hit show, Strictly Come Dancing, Bobby Brazier delivered a poignant tribute to his late mother, Jade Goody, through a heartfelt performance to Maxwell’s “This Woman’s Work.” The emotional contemporary dance, performed alongside professional partner Dianne Buswell, portrayed Bobby’s journey through grief and loss. At the culmination of the song, the 20-year-old was left standing alone, reflecting on a shadow of his younger self playing alone in a tent.

Bobby Brazier’s moving performance struck a chord with viewers, bringing many to tears, including Sky Sports presenter Jo Wilson. For Jo, who battled stage 3 cervical cancer in 2022 and is now a mother to three-year-old daughter Mabel with husband Dan, the performance stirred deep emotions. She shared, “I hugged Mabel tightly that night, and it did feel triggering.”

Jo’s own experience with cancer had made her appreciate the precious moments with her family even more. She reflected, “Mabel was my whole motivation for surviving, to be there for her growing up. No child should lose their mum so young.”

Bobby Brazier was just five years old when his mother, Jade Goody, tragically passed away in 2009 at the age of 27 after a battle with cervical cancer. He was raised by his father, Jeff Brazier. Jo struggled to find words to describe the ordeal that the young boy endured during that challenging time.

In a video clip played before his special performance, Bobby, who became a finalist, expressed his admiration for his mother, whom he saw as a “superhero.” He also shared his heartfelt wish: “I’d love to spend a day with her to see where I got my smile.”

As Jo approaches her first anniversary of being cancer-free, she continues to undergo regular check-ups, including three-monthly smears and scans every six months. She remains committed to sharing her story as a means of raising awareness. On Instagram, she emphasised the importance of regular screenings, especially in light of recent NHS statistics indicating a decline in eligible women attending cervical screening.

In response to this alarming trend, the NHS is intensifying efforts to encourage women to attend cervical screenings. Currently, a third of eligible women do not take up their screening offers. The health organisation is also expanding self-sampling options, allowing women to perform cervical screenings in the comfort of their own homes.

Jo expressed her determination, stating, “I don’t want anyone else to go through this, and if just one woman books an overdue smear test after reading it, then that’s what matters.”

Cervical cancer continues to claim the lives of 850 women in England each year, underscoring the critical importance of raising awareness and ensuring women receive timely screenings.