JR Martinez gets longest standing ovation ever on Dancing with the Stars as poignant tribute to war heroes reduces judges to tears

By Amelia Proud


Not a dry eye in the house: J.R Martinez moves everyone at the studio with his performance


Everyone has a story, and tonight the Dancing with the Stars hopefuls got the chance to reveal their most memorable year through music and movement.

And there wasn't a dry eye in the house when Iraq war veteran J.R. Martinez revealed that his most memorable year was when he was seriously wounded and scarred.

Since the first week of the competition, Martinez has proved himself one of the ones to watch with strong performances and a natural flair for fluid movement - and his heart-wrenching routine tonight only cemented this, with only Len adding a note of criticism about J.R's use of his arms.

'The thing is, we have to speak to justify our marks. For me, it could have been a little bit more musical through the arms, so ... J.R., you understand,' he said.

Heart-wrenching: The All My Children star brings the audience to its collective feet for the longest time in the history of the series

Frontrunners, again: It might not have been as moving, but Ricki's technically-adept dance finishes top with the judges

The audience felt differently and joined in a standing ovation that lasted longer than any previously. Martinez had danced to Tim McGraw's If You're Reading This, which tells the story of wives reading letters notifying them that their loved ones are never to come home.

In the audience was his guest, teenager Jenna Bullen, who suffered burns to more than 95 per cent of her body in a hot water heater accident when she was three.

Sensual: Ricki remembers the year she met the love of her life, which translated into her dance with Derek

Recent pain: David Arquette relives the 'hurt' from his marriage split as Courteney Cox watches

Proud daughter: Courteney Cox and daughter Coco watch and clap, the seven-year-old seeming incredibly proud of her father

Tribute: Rob Kardashian pays tribute to his late father by dancing to one of the attorney's favourite songs, Fly Me to the Moon

Martinez even shed a few tears himself, but Carrie Ann Inaba struggled the most.

'Heroes are normal people who do extraordinary things,' she said as she sobbed.

'Tonight you did something extraordinary.'

Martinez earned 26 points for the dance, as did Chynna Phillips, who danced to her band Wilson Phillips' smash hit, Hold On, to mark the year she battled depression and substance abuse. Two members of her trio, Carnie Wilson and Wendy Phillips watched from the audience.

That's our boy!: Ron is cheered on by his mother and sisters, as he is every week

Hold On: Chynna Phillips relives her struggles with substance abuse as she dances to her greatest hit

Martinez and Phillips saw the season’s first nine scores of the season, but Ricki Lake with the show's lucky charm, Derek Hough, blew them out of the water.

In another rumba, Lake attempted to convey the memories of 2010, the year her rented home was burned to the ground but she met the love of her life.

Though Carrie Ann Inaba didn't see the link when she announced: 'Ricki Lake, you are on fire,' there was no doubting the judge's admiration for the presenter's technical skills.

Lady in red: Kristen Cavallari looks stunning in crimson for her dance with Mark Ballas

Graceful: Nancy keeps her dress in place, but is underwhelming

Carson Kressley tangoed to celebrate the year that he launched Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and entertained the audience and judges alike. He was awarded eight and seven scores.

Even the presence of ever-loyal estranged wife, Courteney Cox and their daughter Coco, wasn't enough to rally David Arquette into a show-stopping performance, despite using his recent marriage split and car accident as inspiration.

Awkward: Chaz is popular with judges and crowd alike, but his technique is woeful

Raunchy: Hope's outfit has an 80s' quality to it, as she relives the World Cup Finals defeat

But the Kardashian clan should see Rob's respectable middle-ranking as a success after his performances in the series so far, he chose Fly Me to the Moon as a tribute to their late father.

Nancy Grace managed to avoid any wardrobe malfunctions thanks to a fitted gown and a slow routine, but her Moon River routine for her daughter was dull.

Confident: Ricki must know she has her footwork off pat as she attends rehearsals earlier

Good looking: Kristen and Rob look great as they rehearse, but didn't wow when the moment came

Hope Solo’s sporting disappointments were lost somewhat in a revealing outfit with 80s' style crimped hair lending a silliness to the talented athlete.

Chaz Bono, despite his popularity factor with the judges, performed terribly, and barely moved enough for his routine to be considered a dance, though his choice of his father Sonny's Laugh at Me was well received, especially by his teary girlfriend.

Kristin Cavallari was cheered on by former fiancé Jay Cutler as she sizzled in scarlet to secure 24 points.

Contrasting fortunes: Ricki and Chaz would end the night at the top and bottom of the judges reckoning, but were still plugging away in the afternoon




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