It was Harry’s first public appearance in the UK since he and his wife Meghan Markle stepped down as senior royals earlier this year.
JJ, who is associated with Strictly pro Amy Dowden, performed her first jive of the series, on Bette Midler’s Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.
And her spirits will no doubt be bolstered by an unexpected appearance of her favorite red-haired royal.
(Image: Collection Chris Jackson)
Harry told him, “When I first met JJ he was a shell of himself, but then seeing you shine through Invictus and be yourself again was the start of a journey.” unbelievable.
“You are definitely making an impact on society now, especially when you wear those tight blue shorts and the socks up.
“It doesn’t get any better than that! ”
Harry added, “I’m really proud. You are not a dancer, proving that you can actually do whatever you want, which is amazing. “
Close friends met after JJ’s devastating blast injuries while serving in Afghanistan, and quickly grew closer to their common experience of service in the armed forces.
Harry helped support JJ after his recovery, and the Paralympic athlete paid him back in kind by competing in the very first Invictus Games, winning a gold medal in cycling.
JJ and his wife Kornelia were even invited to the three stages of Prince Harry’s wedding to Meghan Markle, though they only met four years before the big day.
Their friendship blossomed again, with JJ supporting Meghan as she was tormented by trolls.
“She is remarkable. He can share the burden with someone, good and bad, ”JJ said of the Duchess of Sussex.
And it looks like Harry is a secret Strictly fan, and he watches JJ climb the rankings every week.
(Image: Tim Rooke / Shutterstock)
“I thought he would find it hilarious, but he thought I was good,” JJ said of Harry’s support for his dance stint.
“He thought, ‘To hell with it, he can dance.’ ”
JJ also praised Harry for his secret support, adding: “He’s a veteran. This is a guy who saw it, he did it. And he understands it like a lot of people don’t.
(Image: Collection Chris Jackson / Getty)
“He shaped me, he helped me, he took care of me, because that’s what veterans do. ”
Saturday looked very different after a hell of a week.
Nicola Adams was forced to withdraw from the competition after her dance partner Katya Jones tested positive for coronavirs, despite having no symptoms.
Katya must self-isolate for 14 days, while Nicola must remain in quarantine for 10 days, which means she will lack too much training to continue on the show.
Judge Motsi Mabuse also skipped the episode after going to Germany on an “urgent trip”.
She must isolate herself on her return, so she will be replaced tomorrow evening by Strictly pro Anton du Beke.
