Prince Harry stunned viewers as he made a surprise appearance on tonight’s Strictly Come Dancing.
Making show history, the Duke of Sussex had a sweet message of support for his good friend JJ Chalmers.
It was the royal’s first TV appearance in the UK since he and his wife Meghan Markle stepped down as senior members of the royal family earlier this year.
Scottish TV presenter JJ, who is partnered up with professional dancer Amy Dowden, performed his first jive of the show, set to Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy by Bette Midler.
The Edinburgh-born ex-Royal Marine’s spirits were no doubt bolstered by an unexpected appearance from Prince Harry who appeared via video call as he heaped praise on his friend.
Harry told him: “When I first met JJ he was a shell of himself but then to see you shine through Invictus and to be yourself again, that was the start of an amazing journey.
“You’re definitely having an impact on society now especially when you’re wearing those tight blue shorts and the socks pulled up.
“It doesn’t get better than that!”
Harry added: “I’m genuinely proud. You’re not a dancer, proving that you can actually do whatever you put your mind to which is amazing.”
The close pals met after JJ’s devastating injuries from an explosion when he was serving in Afghanistan, and quickly bonded over their shared experience of serving for the Armed Forces.
Harry helped support JJ after his recovery, and the paralympic athlete paid him back in kind by competing in the first ever Invictus Games, picking up a gold medal in cycling.
JJ and his wife Kornelia were even invited to all three parts of Prince Harry’s wedding day to Meghan Markle, despite only meeting four years before the big day.
Their friendship blossomed further, with JJ throwing his support behind Meghan while she was being tormented by trolls.
“She’s remarkable. He can share the burden with somebody, the good and the bad,” JJ said of the Duchess of Sussex.
And it seems Harry is a secret fan of Strictly, and has been watching JJ each week climbing up the leaderboard.
“I thought he’d find it hilarious, but he thought I was good,” JJ said of Harry’s support for his dancing stint.
“He thought, ‘By heck, he can dance’.”
JJ also praised Harry for his secret support, adding: “He’s a veteran. He’s a guy who’s seen it, he’s done it. and he understands it in ways lots of people don’t.
“He’s shaped me, he’s helped me, he’s looked after me, because that’s what veterans do.”
