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Strictly star Greg Wise’s sister Clare – who sadly lost her battle to cancer in 2016 – revealed her actor brother was the first person she called when she was diagnosed with the illness, in a 2013 article for Daily Mail’s YOU Magazine.
Written three years prior to her tragic death, she explained that she called actor Greg ‘within seconds’, describing their sibling relationship as ‘incredibly close’.
This comes after an emotional Greg held back tears as he dedicated his couple’s choice dance to Clare on Saturday’s Strictly Come Dancing.
Tough: Strictly star Greg Wise’s sister Clare – who sadly lost her battle to cancer in 2016 – revealed her actor brother was the first person she called when she was diagnosed with the illness, in a 2013 article for Daily Mail’s YOU Magazine (pictured in 2013)
The Sense and Sensibility actor, 55, performed a disco dance to If You Could Read My Mind by Ultra Naté, Amber and Jocelyn Enrique alongside his partner Karen Hauer.
His late sister Clare – who was a fan of disco music – died aged 51. Documenting the first stages of her illness for YOU, she wrote: ‘I’ve been independent all my life and I’ve held down some pretty important jobs.
‘As a single woman, I’m strong and capable and used to thinking on my feet, but when I emerged from the clinic that day, I felt small – like you do when you are little and want your mum – and very alone.
‘However, within seconds, although I did not realise it, my circle of strength was gathering around me. My brother Greg was the first person I called.
‘He and I are incredibly close. I’m 18 months older than him, but most people assume he is the eldest because he’s always looked out for me, even more so since we lost both our parents a few years ago.
‘He answered his mobile while standing at the checkout in Sainsbury’s and after saying something I can’t repeat here, told me that [his wife] Emma [Thompson] was at home and that I was to get straight in a cab and go to her.’
She also lauded actress sister-in-law Emma for her support, revealing she greeted her at the door on the day of her diagnosis ‘with a large vodka and tonic’.
Speaking after the performance on Saturday, Greg looked visibly overwhelmed with emotions as he told Claudia Winkleman: ‘People who’ve left us have never left us, they come back, they visit us, we can dance with them, and they leave again. That’s what this was about.’
In a VT before the dance Greg spoke movingly of his ‘disco diva’ sister and how he cared for her during her illness.
Greg recalled how Clare was first diagnosed with breast cancer and had ‘brutal’ chemotherapy treatment, but it was later discovered that she also had bone cancer.
Memories: In a VT before the dance Greg spoke movingly of his ‘disco diva’ sister and how he cared for her during her illness
Family: His late sister Clare – who was a fan of disco music – died of cancer in 2016 aged 51 (pictured with Greg and his wife Emma Thompson)
Star: The Sense and Sensibility actor, 55, performed a disco dance to If You Could Read My Mind by Ultra Naté, Amber and Jocelyn Enrique alongside his partner Karen Hauer
He said: ‘Family is fantastically important to me. I feel very fortunate that we’ve moulded, Emma and I, a family over the years and an extremely important part of the family was my sister Claire.’
He added: ‘It’s one of the hardest things, when you are with someone you love, witnessing their pain and their fear and to work out what you are able to do to mitigate that.
‘I think my sis will be absolutely thrilled that I’m doing this because of her. I hope that she will be laughing like crazy.’
Emotional: Greg said: ‘Family is fantastically important to me. I feel very fortunate that we’ve moulded, Emma and I, a family over the years and an extremely important part of the family was my sister Clare’ (pictured with daughter Gaia)
He continued: ‘I think my sis will be absolutely thrilled that I’m doing this because of her. I hope that she will be laughing like crazy’
Reaction: After the performance Strictly viewers branded judge Craig Revel Harwood ‘harsh’ for his scathing verdict on the dance
‘My gorgeous sister Clare would always have banging disco music on so I wanted to dedicate it to my disco diva sister.’
After the performance Strictly viewers branded judge Craig Revel Harwood ‘harsh’ for his scathing verdict on the dance.
The actor was close to tears after his couple’s choice routine with partner Karen but Craig was largely unimpressed by his moves – giving them just 3.
Happy: Greg was thrilled after the performance as he chatted with host Claudia
Before announcing his score, the notoriously tough judge said: ‘For me it lacked any internal rhythm, very cardboard cut out I’m afraid.
‘However that being said, the story at the beginning was absolutely gorgeous and emotional and the lifts were fantastic.’
Shirley Ballas was more impressed, telling Greg: ‘I think your disco diva sister sprinkled some magic dust on you today because your performance was joyous, it was moving, you had a party kind of feel to it, your lifts were outstanding.
Oh dear: The actor was close to tears after his couple’s choice routine with partner Karen but Craig was largely unimpressed by his moves – giving them just 3
‘The whole thing for me was just moving so well done.’
Motsi said: ‘I loved the whole set up, the very quiet, intensive beginning, going up to the energy.
‘You had the energy, it was spot on, it looked like a lot of fun.’
Anton and Shirley both gave scores of 7, with Motsi scoring the couple 6.
Reaction: Anton and Shirley both gave scores of 7, with Motsi scoring the couple 6
Fans were shocked at the low score from Craig, with one writing on Twitter: ‘Right I’m not being funny, but Craig’s score for Greg was very below the belt’
Another said: ‘Greg was literally dancing for his sister and Craig is all ‘it was too cardboard cutout’
A fourth reacted: ‘3 from Craig. Bit harsh’, while another said: ‘3? Can someone give Craig a hug or a sherry or something?’
Back in August Greg joined the Strictly line-up in memory of his late sister, Clare, who died in 2016, in a bid to end the stigma surrounding talking about death.
At the time he spoke out about how there is scarce material out there to help others going through the same heartbreak as their family did.
Greg said: ‘It’s essential. It’s important. I’m trying to get people to talk about death as much as they talk about the run up to birth.’
Having fun: Greg and Karen had a great time as they took to the dance floor for their disco routine
Clare died aged 51 after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013, when she started a blog documenting her journey. She was then told that the disease was incurable after it spread into her bones.
Greg also wrote about his own experience with his wife’s battle in a series of journals, which were later published as a book.
In the journals he spoke about how Clare was unique and the family thought it was fitting for her to have a glittery coffin.
In a statement on appearing on this year’s show he said: ‘My beautiful sister was a huge disco queen. She left our world almost exactly five years ago in a glitter ball coffin. This is for her.’
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