Charlotte Hawkins Reveals Emotional Response to ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ Elimination, Champions MND Awareness
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A moving account of resilience and advocacy has emerged from television personality Charlotte Hawkins, who recently shared a vulnerable moment from her past and reaffirmed her commitment to fighting motor neurone disease (MND). The Good Morning Britain presenter detailed a private struggle following her elimination from the 2017 season of Strictly Come Dancing, alongside a continued dedication to raising awareness for a cause deeply personal to her.
Tears on Set Following ‘Strictly’ Exit
Hawkins recounted an emotional experience to Woman & Home in a joint interview with colleagues susanna Reid and Kate Garraway. She admitted to breaking down in tears at work after being voted off the popular BBC dance competition with professional partner Brendan Cole. The 50-year-old presenter was the third celebrity eliminated that season.
Colleagues witnessed the depth of hawkins’ disappointment firsthand. Garraway recalled, “I remember coming into work and asking how Charlotte was, and she said fine. Then I whent to make some tea,came back,and she just burst into tears. We totally knew what she was going through.” Hawkins herself reflected, “It’s all coming back now… It was incredibly hard when I got voted out.”
The experience resonated with her co-stars,as both Reid and Garraway have also competed on Strictly. Reid reached the final in 2013, ultimately losing to Abby Clancy and Aljaz Skorjanec, while Garraway finished seventh in the fifth series alongside Anton du Beke.
Hawkins’ vulnerability extends beyond the dance floor. The conversation also touched upon the profound loss of her father, Frank, who passed away in 2015 at the age of 78 after a three-year battle with MND. This personal tragedy ignited a passionate commitment to advocacy.
Following her father’s death, Hawkins became a patron of the MND Association, dedicating herself to supporting those affected by the disease and pushing for a cure. She powerfully stated at the time, “When people get that diagnosis, it’s a death sentence. It’s horrific that in this day and age, there aren’t treatments that can definitely help people.”
Hawkins remains optimistic about future breakthroughs, noting, “I speak to the experts, and they are making progress. It will hopefully just take a final push to bring everything together, to find a cure, which will give people who have MND something which they don’t currently have – hope.”
Continuing the Legacy of champions
Hawkins is steadfast to carry forward the work of prominent MND advocates who have recently passed away, including rugby player Doddie Weir, who died in 2022, and Rob Burrow, who died in June. She emphasized their impact on public understanding of the disease, stating, “They really helped with people’s understanding.”
At Burrow’s memorial service, a speaker urged attendees to “pick up that baton, to make sure that his work is not forgotten.” Burrow’s tireless fundraising efforts lead to the creation of a center for MND in Leeds, scheduled to open next summer, a testament to his enduring legacy. Hawkins is committed to ensuring that momentum continues, honoring the memory of those lost and fighting for a future free from the devastation of MND.
