Praise for Johnny Ward who took to DWTS floor one day after father's death
People have been full of praise for Dancing With The Stars contestant Johnny Ward, who performed an emotional number just one day after his father, John, had passed away.
Ward and partner Emily Barker danced a samba and he dedicated the performance to his late father.
Ward announced on Twitter that his father was "now Pain free" on Saturday, thanking the public for their support.
Thank you all for your supportive messages regarding my father at this very difficult time.
— Johnny Ward (@JohnnyWard7) March 2, 2019
He is now Pain free.
Thank you Dad for being the kindest ,most supportive, incredible father anyone could ever ask for.
"They never die who live in the hearts they leave behind".
Xxxx pic.twitter.com/oPswU9NRxK
The Love/Hate star revealed that his father wanted him to compete in Sunday night's show telling the actor "do it for me".
Host Jennifer Maguire told Ward he was incredibly brave for competing and that his father would have been "so proud".
"It's been a very difficult week," the actor told Nicky Byrne after his performance.
"While I have this opportunity I want to say a big thank you to everyone - all the nurses and doctors - in Tallaght Hospital as well as all the people in Harold's Cross Hospice who tried their very best to keep my father alive.
Ward also paid tribute to his partner Emily thanking her for her support.
"On Wednesday we had a difficult decision to make. I was in the rehearsal room and I kept saying to Emily, 'what's the point of even doing this?'
"As much as I enjoy competing in the competition it comes second and family comes first.
Ward said that he went to hospice and his father told him: "Please stay in there, in this competition and do it for me.
"It's a very difficult thing to do, but we did it for him and I'm so happy."
As the judges paid their condolences, head judge Brian Redmond told Ward he didn't have to dance but that his father would have been proud.
"The bravery that you showed to come out and perform tonight is - as a father myself and as a son myself - is something that I know that your father would be really really proud of," he said.
The judges scored Ward and Barker a total of 28 with Brian Redmond and Loraine Barry giving a nine and Julian Benson marking the dance "a deserving" 10.
Topping the leaderboard tonight is a remarkably brave @JohnnyWard7 & @emilybarkerwork ❤️ #DWTSIrl @DWTSIrl pic.twitter.com/WhDSvl4Vim
— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) March 3, 2019
The watching public were quick to praise Johnny for taking to the dancefloor after such a difficult week.
Johnny @JohnnyWard7 you are amazingly strong and an absolute inspiration, not to mention an incredible dancer! You 100% did your dad proud. May he RIP x #dwts
— Sam KB 🇺🇦 (@Samwhiplash) March 3, 2019
Such energy and you could see he wanted his dad to be proud of him.... as all our late dads would have been... there will always be a little scar on grief.... and it bleeds easily.
— Maureen Tully (@mtully21) March 4, 2019
Well done @JohnnyWard7
You will win this!! 🍀💔🍀
I'm so sorry for your loss @JohnnyWard7 ...How you performed tonight under the heart-breaking circumstances was truly BEYOND my comprehension! 😢You danced like the true professional and star that you are! Know this: Your dad will now light up the rest of the way for You!🙏🎶😇🙏
— Audrey McGrath (@AudreyMcGrath) March 4, 2019
Johnny talking about his dad on #dwtsirl tonight. What a man, so emotional. Always liked him as a person but not only is he a lovely guy he's an incredible dancer. Definitely deserve to win this series @JohnnyWard7 ❤️
— Alexandra Ryan (@SweetLikeAli) March 3, 2019
I honestly don't know how he did it but @JohnnyWard7 was amazing yet again tonight. That must have been so difficult for him. Well done Johnny. 💔💔#dwtsirl
— Nell (@Nell496) March 3, 2019
The absolute bravery of Johnny, honouring the wishes of his Dad, dancing the day after his death is phenomenonal. The obvious thing to do is take the week out, but having his Dad asking him to soldier on & then having to put on a glitzy show is no easy task. Big love ❤️ #DWTSIRL
— Eoghan McDermott (@eoghanmcdermo) March 3, 2019
On the night, former Dublin footballer Denis Bastick was voted off the show, after competing in the dance-off against Fair City's Clelia Murphy.
