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TOUCHING TRIBUTE

Strictly Come Dancing viewers in “floods of tears” over Remembrance Sunday tribute to wartime couple of 72 years

Basil and Madge's story of wartime love opened the show and touched the hearts of viewers everywhere

STRICTLY Come Dancing viewers have been left in tears after a touching tribute to a wartime couple who have been together for 72 years.

Basil and Madge fell in love during World War II and are still very much in love over seven decades later.

Basil and Madge's love story was turned into a routine by the Strictly professionals
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Basil and Madge's love story was turned into a routine by the Strictly professionalsCredit: BBC
Viewers were in floods of tears
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Viewers were in floods of tearsCredit: Twitter

As the couple told their story, the Strictly professionals performed a routine complete with 1940s outfits to their words, and viewers were left in bits.

One wrote on Twitter: "Getting way too emotional over Basil and Madge's story on #Strictly #ww2 #RemembranceSunday" while another added: "What a brilliant way to start the show. With a beautiful story of Basil & Madge".

A third added: "#Strictly's remembrance dance with Basil and Madge's story has me in floods of tears, how lovely".

The cast wore 1940s clothing for the touching tribute
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The cast wore 1940s clothing for the touching tributeCredit: BBC
Viewers loved the couple's relationship and love story
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Viewers loved the couple's relationship and love storyCredit: Twitter
Others branded it 'so cute'
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Others branded it 'so cute'Credit: Twitter

The couple appeared on screen behind the routine, talking about the moment they first met while Basil was in the army and Madge was working as a nurse.

And Madge admitted her first thoughts on her future husband weren't that favourable.

Basil and Madge took to the floor at the end of the routine, much to the audiences' delight
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Basil and Madge took to the floor at the end of the routine, much to the audiences' delightCredit: BBC
The dance and the love story left many viewers emotional
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The dance and the love story left many viewers emotionalCredit: Twitter

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She said: "I can’t say he made a good first impression with his feet up on the table.";

But Basil didn't give up, sending her a note to suggest she join him for a meal, but no sooner had they got together but they were torn apart as Basil went off to fight.

The couple of 72 years shared a kiss
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The couple of 72 years shared a kissCredit: BBC
Others complimented the show on a brilliant opening routine
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Others complimented the show on a brilliant opening routineCredit: Twitter

Madge said: "It was a bit heartbreaking in as much as you didn’t know what the future was going to be," while Basil added: "I thought about Madge every day."

Basil sailed back to England in 1946 and was reunited with Madge, which she described as: "One of the happiest days of our lives".

The couple were led off the floor by the professionals
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The couple were led off the floor by the professionalsCredit: BBC
Basil and Madge's love was described as a 'wonderful story'
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Basil and Madge's love was described as a 'wonderful story'Credit: Twitter

The couple married soon after and Madge said: "We wanted to be together for the rest of our lives," before Basil said: "And that’s how it worked out".

As the dance ended, the couple stepped onto the dance floor in the finery and shared a kiss as the audience stood and applauded.

The routine was the show's way of paying tribute to Remembrance Sunday
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The routine was the show's way of paying tribute to Remembrance SundayCredit: BBC

Twitter couldn't handle such adorable scenes, with one writing: "Can't cope with the Basil & Madge tribute", while another added: "Basil & Madge... what a wonderful story. Thanks for bringing it to life @bbcstrictly."

Another wrote: "OMG #strictly that was so cute #basil&madge".

STRAP-STRICTLY

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