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Vicky Pattison fought back tears when her dad sent a special message into It Takes Two just for her (Image: BBC)

Strictly Come Dancing star Vicky Pattison fought back tears as she received an emotional message on It Takes Two. The Geordie Shore legend, 37, appeared on the spin-off of the BBC favourite on Wednesday evening alongside her professional partner Kai Widdrington, where they revealed that this week they will be dancing the American Smooth to Bonnie Tyler classic Total Eclipse of the Heart.

In last week’s stage of the competition, Vicky and Kai performed their Couple’s Choice to Fight For This Love, which was the first solo single released by Cheryl following her rise to fame as part of Girls Aloud. Vicky was left shocked when her fellow Geordie sent a video message of support into the programme, but was on the edge of tears when when her father John sent one into It Takes Two.

Host Janette Manrara said: “We have a surprise message, from someone who is very proud of you,” and Vicky’s jaw dropped. When Janette confirmed it was her dad, Vicky joked: “I thought it was gonna be Cheryl again!”

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Vicky was initially shocked, and thought that Cheryl had been in touch again(Image: BBC)

John said: “Just wanted to give you a quick call to remind you of how proud we are all of you up here in the North, how much we love you. And also, just to say, you were absolutely fantastic on Saturday. We’re all rooting for you. Take care, love you.”

Vicky became visibly emotional, but quickly made a joke about how close her father was holding the phone to his face. She said: “You can tell my dad is in his sixties because he does the whole Blair Witch Project. He’s just so cute, isn’t he? Love you, dad!” Following her performance last week, the former Loose Women panellist found herself second on the leader board.

But the former I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! winner candidly admitted that her whole time on the show has been married by ‘nerves and anxiety’ and she just needs to work on enjoying herself more as she progresses in the competition.

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Her dad John sent all his love and support to Vicky from her family in the North East (Image: BBC)

She said: “My Strictly journey has been hampered by nerves and anxiety but I think I’m turning a corner. Kai is so patient with me, the judges’ feedback has been positive and even when it hasn’t, it’s been constructive criticism.

“I just think going forward I need to be a positive pigeon, put everything else out of my head, and just enjoy it because I’ll kick myself if I don’t.” Kai was full of praise for his co-star, and described her as a ‘fighter’ who has been getting better each week.

He said: “She’s a fighter, and it’s quite funny that Craig [Revel Horwood] said he saw no hope for Vicky. But Strictly is about improvement, it’s a marathon and I couldn’t be prouder, second on the leader board, a message from Cheryl.”

Last weekend, Cheryl congratulated her fellow Geordie before saying she was “honoured and humbled” to be her choice of icon. Cheryl added: “I know you’ve got it in you because you’re a Geordie.

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Vicky received a message of support from her fellow Geordie icon Cheryl after her performance on last week’s Strictly

“So go on, get out there. Fight for your place and I’m sending you loads of love. I’ll be rooting for you from home.” An elated Vicky joked it was amazing that Cheryl even knew who she was as she continued to showcase her disbelief at the message. In an emotional VT that rolled just before Vicky and Kai took to the stage, the TV favourite reflected on past mistakes .

She said: “I first started out in this industry at about 21 and I made some bad decisions. I just don’t think at that age I had the tools to navigate that space I was in. Now I do my best to be a better version of myself – someone I can look in the mirror and feel alright about. What I’ve learnt about myself is that with determination and a little bit of self-belief, you can achieve stuff.

“Apart from being a banger is a very important song to me. The whole idea that the comeback is greater than the setback. You can have the life you want. You can change the narrative. You can be who you want to be, not letting the past define you. I think that’s really powerful. I worked on myself and now I’m here in a place that makes us really happy and I’m finally becoming a woman I’m proud of.”