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amberswilddreams · 29 days ago

Text

not here to tell you💔🫶

pairing : shane filan x fem younger sister filan!reader

summary : rylee filan, younger sister of westlife legend shane filan is dancing her last three dances on strictly come dancing as her last chance to win the mirrorball trophy. during her couple's choice, which was a dance dedicated to her and shane's deceased parents (as well as nicky byrne and kian egan's fathers), a sweet moment ensues between one of the judges and the filan.

warnings : slightly sad, mention of deceased parents, older brother x shane, strictly come dancing and winning strictly come dancing

a/n : this was originally taken from an old book of mine on wattpad and then i rewrote it for a one-shots book and now i'm writing it for tumblr. we love recycled works!

𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐰𝐨 | 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭

it was friday evening and the night before the final of strictly come dancing 2022. and, alongside rylee filan and her partner kai widdrington, all of the remaining couples were on the "it takes two show" to talk with the hosts, rylan and janette. talking about all things about their strictly journeys, their three dances for tomorrow night's finale and many more.

in her skin-tight maxi dress, heels and his button-down shirt, jeans and polished shoes, rylee and kai sat in their it takes two interview with rylan clark about their strictly journey. rylee was downright excited as was kai. however, he was a lot more emotional about the whole thing than he thought he would be. especially considering this time last year, whilst he was technically a 2021 finalist, he wasn't able to compete for the glitterball. and that was due to his celebrity partner, aj odudu's ankle injury. this meant that this was his first actual year going up for the glitterball trophy in the strictly come dancing final.

rylan had introduced their vt package for their strictly come dancing journey. and, in all honesty for the two of them, it felt so bizarre to be watching all of that content. from the last twelve weeks of their thirteen-week journey on the show together. they watched in complete awe and content as it all suddenly finished too quickly. it had now returned back to the duo and rylan on camera.

rylan smiled, "awe, that was amazing to watch, wasn't it? congratulations, you're in the final!" he cheered as rylee and kai chuckle as they hold hands, one leg crossed over the other

"how are you feeling after watching that?" he asks as kai immediately turns to rylee who giggles, responding

"umm, emotional, i feel exhausted *laughter*, i look like a mess. i'm sweating, i've recently just had to go and strap up my foot because it's still inflamed from the week before *giggles*. but, truthfully, i feel so grateful and it feels amazing to be in the final and have that video to watch back of everything we've done. it does however feel crazy because when we truly try to think about it, it doesn't feel like we've done a lot. but, then you show us that vt and we really have done a lot and, truly, it's been the best adventure i could have ever gone on. especially when i see just how far the both of us have come since the beginning. i mean, it's completely overwhelming but, i'm sure we can pull it together for our three dances tomorrow night!" rylee giggles, her smile bigger than it ever had before as kai nods his head in agreement

"let's go right ahead and talk about your three dances for tomorrow night then. you are doing the quickstep which was a very successful dance and it was also your first ever perfect score. as well as the earliest in strictly come dancing history *cheers*, yes, well done! and it's a dance that is very loved by everyone. and, rylee, i just want to bring up something that you said to janette last night and it was that you were going to be more sassier for tomorrow's performance. and, may i ask, how is that even possible because you were already so sassy and in character during the original dance *laughter*?" rylan pauses as rylee giggles as she shakes her head

"we first watched the dance back, kai and myself with my brother shane and his bandmate, kian i think the night before kai and i spoke with janette *giggles*. and both shane and kian agreed that whilst this was one of kai and i's best dances, i just needed to be a little bit more sassier and have a slight bit more attitude in the beginning and of course, i agreed. especially considering both shane and kian did a production of grease a couple of times in high school with mark, the third sligonian from westlife before it even existed. so, it's a tip i am willing to improve on if it means it gets kai and me closer to potentially winning. so, that's what i'll be doing tomorrow night *laughter*," rylee responds as rylan nods his head, not needing to question it again

"now, rylee, were you ever scared or unsure about joining this show, strictly?" rylan asks as rylee laughs, falling into kai who laughs as well

"oh, pff, yes i was. even though i did mention from the very start that i wasn't wanting to be terrified or what have you, it all kind of changed when we got to about week four. i suddenly got too in my head and i started to have these little pockets of moments of ruthlessness with myself. and i truly think it stemmed from having such a fantastic week the week before with our grease-inspired quickstep and then our viennese waltz that led to us being in the bottom two. and that really scared me more than i think i've ever admitted especially since i didn't seem scared or as though i was thrown off by the sudden change. but, i was absolutely scared and thrown off completely. but in saying that, i don't even think that was our "worst" dance either *kai and rylan shake their heads*. it was just simply that something clearly wasn't correctly done in the foundations of the dance, and i'm not trying to throw kai under the bus and say that it's his fault at all. because it wasn't, he choreographed a beautiful viennese, it was just that between the final rehearsal to the live iteration of the dance, something went wrong and we had to dance it again. but, blessed be god, we danced it better and we were saved for another week--"

"--and it never happened again!" rylan stepped in as rylee nodded her head, agreeing

"yes, absolutely right! after week four, it never happened again but it was something that really threw me off in a way that hadn't happened before. and, truthfully, it genuinely upset me but i never showed or told anyone that because i never cried or talked about it in future vt's. until a couple of weeks ago but that's a different story *giggles* but, now that we are here in the final, i don't feel the same fear that i felt in week four and then the following week leading up to week five. and since then, i haven't felt scared to go out and perform any of our dances but most importantly, i'm not scared about our three dances tomorrow night. like, genuinely, i feel the most confident i've felt since starting and i'm just truly excited to show everyone the connection that kai and i have built but also sustained throughout this whole competition. so, i...i just cannot wait for tomorrow night," rylee finished as kai nods his head in agreement as rylan smiles sweetly before asking another question

"kai, speaking of the vienesse, that's not the dance that the judges picked for you guys to do again. even though it was your lowest scoring, they chose for you guys to do your couple's choice again. can you explain why they chose that instead of the dance that you'd think they'd want you to do again and try for a higher score?" rylan questions as kai responds with a smile, rylee also smiling with a small laugh

"i know right? when rylee and i found that out, we were kind of confused and ready to throw some *laughter*, nah, not really. but, it was, because, as you said, our vienesse is our lowest scoring so, we would have thought that they'd choose that one so we could give it another shot and try to get it at a higher score. but, i do think ultimately the reason why they didn't choose the vienesse but our couple's choice instead was they felt as though they didn't get the full story of the couple's choice. whereas, they felt as though they saw so much of the vienesse that they felt like we should just leave it behind and have that stay at it's original score. because, i guess, it's a reminder not just to rylee and myself but to everyone that it's okay to have one dance or two that just aren't really up to perfection on this show and that not everything has to have a perfect score. and, another reason i think they chose the couple's choice was because, i guess, it touched not just the judges and the audience but it also touched the entire country. it touched an entire country in a time where we have all only just come out of a huge scary, life-changing pandemic and we're seeing and watching a young adult, a beautiful young woman, open up about the fact that just before the world was turned upside down and during the world's turn of being upside down, she and her family suffered an agonizing tragedy. something that, only recently she has opened up about, having only being talked and mentioned about by her older brother. and, getting the honour to be the person rylee opened up to and hearing her side of the "inspiration" of our couple's choice was so heartbreaking but it was so life-fufilling. and it's also something an outsider would have never of guessed that was how she dealt with that grief since it was never talked about until now. and, in all honesty, we are so excited to do our couple's choice again since it really does give rylee the time and the healing to really once again become vulnerable and open up. and to talk about those things that maybe she never thought she would have to open up about to the public," kai responds as rylee nods her head in agreement, speaking up

"yeah, i absolutely agree with everything kai just said. especially in regards to why the judges didn't pick week four's dance. it wasn't just something kai and i wanted to leave at the low score that it originally was but, it was the judges that wanted to leave it there too. because, they did say that they either wanted to see the vienesse again or our couple's choice and they said ultimately, that out of both dances, our couple's choice was a lot more meaningful. and they said it showcased a lot more than our vienesse did and that was why the judges decided to have kai and i perform that dance again as one of our three final dances," rylee responds as rylan nods his head with a smile as does kai

"just before we get around to the showdance because that is so much fun to watch since i already did get to watch a cheeky little bit of it earlier, it's gorgeous you two. let's talk a little bit more about your couple's choice, in regards to the dance, it is quite an emotional dance, isn't it rylee?" rylan asks as rylee and kai both nod their heads

"yes, it is very emotional, rylan. i mean, we performed it for the first time two weeks ago and it was for sure one of our favourites, if not our number on favourite. and it's our number one because it was just so emotional and it felt so freeing for me that i'm just so glad i get the pleasure to dance it again. but, getting to see my whole family in the audience this time and not just my brother shane. so, getting to have nicky, kian, mark, their partners and their kids, basically, the whole westlife family in the audience watching it will for sure be the icing on the cake for me. because, even though it is about the loss of me and shane's, and the rest of our siblings', parents, i'm also having a little surprise dedication. so, i'm just glad that i have the whole westlife crew here tomorrow night to watch it live," rylee pauses before continuing after another small prompt by rylan, kai sitting quietly listening intently

"so, now that you have been rehearsing it again alongside the quickstep and showdance, you did mention to janette that it is the more emotional dance out of all the dances you two have done. so, can you explain a little bit more what it's been like in rehearsals since it is a dance that is more recent other than the showdance?" rylan prompts as rylee giggles, kai lovingly letting rylee take the reigns of the interview at this point

"oh, like i said a couple of weeks ago when we first danced it, i absolutely love it. it was already so emotional and kai's choreography, again, is just so beautiful and it's so clear in his intentions for this dance as well. but, for tomorrow night, we have made it even more emotional and, it's actually the most vulnerable i've ever been in any of the dances, even when we first performed it two weeks ago, i was a lot more reserved and i guess, frightened of being emotional on camera. but, not this week, this week i've never been so confident in showing my true emotions and it's the most emotional kai has gotten as well during this entire competition. and, like we said two weeks ago, once again, it is a really gorgeous dance that just honours what my family has lost and it pays tribute to them beautifully. and, yeah, we're just glad we get the honour to dance it again but with the other two dances. and i also can't wait for the rest of my family to see it for the first time and for shane to see it a second time but reworked and a lot better," rylee smiles with a head nod as rylan smiles sweetly as does kai who comforts his partner

"hoo, i'll make sure to have the entire audience decked out with boxes of kleenex before your couple's choice love--"

"--for a second time," kai sassily jumps in as rylee giggles, smacking him playfully as rylan chuckles before continuing

"i know it's been an emotional and exhausting week for you guys and you're tired and i don't want to make it worse. however, we do have an amazing little clip of your family and friends who want to say a few words to you since we're running out of time and can't talk about the showdance..." rylan announces as rylee's eyes widen and she slides down her seat on the couch, before coming back up and hiding behind kai as he comforts her

"...growing up with rylee as a younger sister was truly the best thing in the world. ever since i could remember, she's been the sweetest, happiest, shyest little girl. she was such a party though when she was around people she was most comfortable with because she knew they weren't judgemental people. when me, rylee and our older sister mairead were slightly younger, we'd always run through our parents cafe since we lived above one back home in sligo, called the carlton cafe. we'd always be getting told off *giggles* but, it wasn't a bad thing and we never got into serious trouble with our mum and dad over it. but, i think it was because they didn't want to stop the moments where rylee was opening herself up to having fun and not always being so closed off and shy. however, i do think the reason why rylee is the way she is now is that she was always surrounded by music and also probably by my influence as well. and how me and the rest of westlife became so famous in the way we did. but, i do remember her telling me that even though i'm her older brother, i'm still her hero and her biggest influence," shane, her older brother speaks with a huge smile

"rylee was around fourteen, maybe fifteen when she decided she wanted to actually take music a little more seriously rather that just be back at home, working at the cafe with mum and dad. and for her first ever performance, she sang at a nightclub with westlife, simon cowell and louis walsh as a part of the attending guests *giggles* and she was just glowing on stage. her whole face just lit up when she heard the crowd cheering her on in the club and clapping for her. it was from that moment on that i could see louis become excited. i could tell that he wanted to make something of my sister and take the same chance on her that he took on westlife so, he did," shane smiles with a head nod as he continued to think about his little sister

shane's wife, rylee's sister-in-law then came on the vt, "i didn't meant rylee until about a month into me and shane's relationship but i doubt rylee would remember it because of how little she was. then, we got engaged december of 2002 and then we got married the following december in 2003. she was two when we got engaged and turned three when we got married and all i remember is a little three-year-old tightly holding a little woven basket of flowers as she walked down the aisle. she then ran straight over to me and gave me the biggest hug and then hugging shane before she stood with my bridesmaids for the rest of the wedding. getting to watch rylee grow up from essentially a baby to a twenty-one-year-old has genuinely been an honour and a privilege. she's a lovely girl and getting to watch her dance every saturday on strictly come dancing has been the best thing in the world. rylee, because she's the younger sister of a popstar, she has had to have her life all of a sudden projected in front of so many people that you would think she'd cave under the pressure. but, she never did. i got to watch her remain as the same little girl that i remember her being when i was first meeting her before she decided to be like her brother which is truly amazing that she never felt like she had to pretend and be someone she never was. i think it was also in part of watching her older brother go through everything he went through in the public eye that really shaped rylee into the young lady she is now and why she is so confident. i also think it's why she doesn't want to waste any more time being scared of what the media around her has to say about her and her family," gillian spoke with a small smile and laugh as she continued

"watching rylee compete on strictly now after watching her succeed as a solo artist in the same way her brother did and seeing how different she looks and how she is more confident really makes me emotional. i basically cry every week even though i'm only her sister-in-law, i still can tell she just looks happier and i truly think i've never seen her happier. this is also the first time i've ever seen rylee be so comfortable with herself and in her own skin and being happy to just be herself," gillian smiles as tears well in her eyes as she giggles softly

photos of rylee from when she was a kid and throughout the years were then shown whilst the voiceovers played over the top. then, a video message from her fiancé showed up. making rylee and kai who were watching this get extremely excited.

"watching my fiancée every weekend on strictly come dancing has got to for sure be the best thing i've seen in the entire world. i mean, i've already seen her sing and perform on a stage before but, this is the first time i've really seen my fiancée enjoy herself and just be what she's always wanted to be. which is happy and confident. and the fact that this is the show that has made her transform into what she's always dreamt herself to be is truly incredible. i'm always going to be grateful that she was given this opportunity with strictly and that she got to be happy and confident. and i say that because it's the best thing i could have ever imagined to watch every weekend on the television. before rylee joined strictly, i don't think she actually saw herself as a happy and confident person even though she was happy, i don't think she saw herself as someone who was happy. so, again, it's why i'm glad she's finally viewing herself in the same way that all of us that love her have always seen her as. it's just...it's amazing to see the love of my life finally believe in herself through ballroom dancing on a saturday evening," ollie sniffles with a small giggle as he got emotional over his fiancée - the show obviously changing her life for the better

alongside videos of rylee and kai dancing, were video messages from a few other of rylee's siblings and family members. but, the ones that really caught the girl off-guard were from her westlife uncles.

"watching our niece on strictly every weekend has truly been a proud moment for us three, not shane *laughter*. but especially getting to watch it on the weekend after a concert of ours or something and then getting to see shane just have the time of his life with gilian and the kids getting to watch their sister, sister-in-law and their aunty dance with kai. but, now that we get to come and watch the final this weekend and actually see two of their best dances plus their showdance is for sure going to be a night that'll be unforgettable and for sure memorable for years to come," mark spoke up first as the boys all agreed as rylee felt her heart melt

"watching my sister on that dance floor every weekend has been something that has for sure brought so much joy into my family's life after all the loss we've recently gone though. and, i guess, seeing rylee smile and laugh and seeing her have so much fun has always been what i've wanted my sister to have in her life. all i've wanted has been to see my sister smile and to see her laugh and see her have fun. and, truly, watching her do all of that with kai has been so carthartic and really healing. it's something i'm glad that she committed herself to since it is really the first time that she's ever done a reality competition show let alone be seen on a show that isn't a morning talk show to promote a new tour, album or single *laughter*. but, i think it's also amazing because for so many years, before us four had a name in westlife, rylee was always known as "the younger sister of shane filan" and i just know how much that annoyed her growing up. it annoyed her because to her, it felt like she didn't have her own name and wasn't her own person. so, getting to watch her being called by her own name, rylee filan, and getting to watch her just be herself without any connotations towards me is truly spectacular. it's been wonderful seeing my younger sister show the whole of the united kingdom and ireland that rylee is more than just the sister of a boybander and more than just a singer herself. rylee has a personality that isn't my younger sister. she never deserved to be in the shadow of her older brother, especially when she's more than just my younger sister," shane smiles as rylee smiled at what her brother said

kian spoke next, "anytime i think the four of us turn on our tellies and watch rylee and kai dance or even get interviewed, i can't help but just feel so proud of my niece. sure, she's an amazing singer and was always going to be famous from the moment it was released that the filan's were welcoming an eighth child. but, watching her actually be in that limelight as she got older has truly been something that has taken the four of us back to when it was all new and flashy lights for us. but, for rylee, again, it wasn't as scary because she simply grew up with it because of her brother's fame, whereas for the four us, it was so new to all of us, we never had a proper guiding light going into it so, it's an honour being that guiding light for rylee. to then, watch her come into this show and then open herself up in ways that she hasn't done before has truly been a snapshot in time for us. rylee has truly done all of us back home in ireland proud and, i just know that those people that have left us, are also looking down on rylee. and, i cannot tell you rylee, just how proud they are of you. we love you dearly rylee and we cannot wait to see you grab that mirrorball this weekend!" kian blows a kiss to the camera as rylee smiles, kai hugs her as nicky speaks up in another video

"getting to watch rylee accomplish what she's been able to accomplish in these last twelve weeks is crazy. she's never been a dancer, to begin with, having no prior dance experience, let alone ballroom. but, the fact that whilst she's never danced before this competition, it's very clear that it's her musicality that helps her to have the knowledge so she can then execute it on that ballroom floor every saturday night. but, also having done this competition myself and only just missing out on the final, having the pleasure to see my niece get to that place in the competition is truly wonderful. because, even though westlife were no longer together, our family unit was still tight-knit and i remember how badly rylee wanted me to get to the final. and, i also think she knew how much i also wanted it but was never able to reach it. so, because of that, i think that's what made her push herself even more because she knew if i couldn't get to the final for myself and my family, then she could get to the final for me and for our family. it's obvious at how much i love rylee as well as kai, having worked with him on dancing with the stars in ireland and, i just wish the both of them, as all of us at westlife want to, the best of luck for the final tomorrow night. and, we just hope that we'll be watching the both of them lift the glitterball trophy live when we come to watch it in the strictly studios," nicky smiles as the westlife lads smile and nod their heads, rylee and kai moved by all the messages

after nicole, shane's daughter, rylee's niece, sent a message on behalf of all the westlife children, the rest of rylee's family and friends revealed what their favourite dances were. mark (westlife) said he enjoyed her and kai's movie-week quickstep, shane (westlife) said he adored her and kai's couples choice, nicky and kian (westlife) said they were for sure going to love their couple's choice. whilst the westlife kids all agreed that the american smooth and argentine tango was exquisite whilst the westlife spouses and ollie, rylee's fiancé said they enjoyed the paso doble.

however, it only got emotional when shane, along with his bandmates, mentioned how proud their parents, peter and mae and nicky and kian's deceased fathers would have been of rylee. and how they would have absolutely loved to watch their special girl dance and win strictly come dancing.

"i have no doubt in my mind that our parents, nikki byrne sr and kevin egan would have really loved to watch their special girl. their special little rylee dance on strictly every saturday and i'm sure they have been looking down on our girl and cheering her along every single week..." shane smiles tearfully as he looks at his bandmates who smile back

"...they'd for sure be kicking themselves and wishing they were still here to watch you, rylee because i know they would have loved and absolutely indulged on you. and they would have celebrated how much happier and confident you've gotten since starting the show. you are a superstar and, like the judges say every week, you really could get away with throwing the singing career out the window and start to train as a ballroom professional and then join the strictly pros *laughter* you're just that good. it's absolutely blindly obvious at this point as to who the winner is, we love you, rylee!" nicky blows a kiss to the camera with a teary smile as the other three do the same thing

a video from movie week showing rylee and kai's first ten was then accompained by a video from ollie, rylee's finacé,"when ry and kai got their first fourty back in week three, with their grease-inspired quickstep, that was the moment i really had to take a step back. and i realised just how amazing rylee was even though to me, she was already perfect and sensational, that dance just proved it tenfold. that was also the moment where i really saw rylee's confidence shine through and it was when i saw her truly realise that she was way more than being compared to her older brother. even though she was always told from basically infancy that the only thing she'll be good for and known for is being the sister of shane filan. but, in that moment, right there, on that night, in her eyes, she was no longer known as just "shane filan, from westlife's younger sister", she was rylee filan. she finally had her own name and she was finally acknowledged for being more and being a talented performer," ollie explains with the sweetest smile on his face as the westlife lads appeared back up on the vt

"if rylee was to win, it would be completely life-changing, not just for her but, i think for everyone who sees themselves in rylee. and also for every other young person across the country or even the world. she was always looked at weirdly and with a lot of judgement for being the younger sister of a boy-bander. but, now she's finally being acknowledged for more than just the backbone of her brother's fame. those kids that used to laugh at her, look who's laughing now? that girl you used to tease relentlessly for who she was is now on tv everynight with her name being recanted out for everyone to hear and to watch her. why should she not have the chance to become successful when she isn't the only one in her family with talent?" kian spoke as the lads all agreed with kian's statement as rylee found herself going red in the face as she watched

"to watch her have the same ups and downs that nicky and other former celebrities that did this show go through and then see her pick herself up and continue with such grace and confidence is truly unbelievable. but, it was all of that grace and confidence that got her all the way into the final and it's incredible. i mean, all the hard work she and kai went through is paying off in the best way possible. i mean, i just absolutely adore that girl and, truly, i am so glad i got snatch her up for myself and put a ring on it before any other guy could *laughter*," ollie ends off the individual messages but, for the very last one, everyone had come together to give rylee and kai a group message

"you are amazing, rylee and kai! we know you can win so, go out there tomorrow night and win it for us!" mark calls out before everyone else joins him for the final message:

yelling, "we love you rylee and kai! you can do this! come on, bring it home to ireland!" the group yelled as rylee and kai chuckled

one last clip of rylee and kai laughing and hugging was shown before the vt was completely finished. the camera coverage returning back to rylan, rylee and kai on the couch.

rylan awes as does rylee as she giggles, revealing to everyone that she hadn't cried but, kai had and he laughed. a look of shock and concern quickly covers rylee's face when she actually took the time to pay attention to kai. pulling him for a hug, kai chuckled and accepted the hug, rylan gives a sweet, touched look to the camera as he gave the duo a moment to breathe and so kai could compose himself.

a small pout on his face, rylee then offers him a tissue from the bedazzled tissue box that rylan had handed her, "awe, kai, rylee that was so sweet. now, i need to ask you both though, i know the competition has meant the most to you and you haven't really mentioned winning but, how would you feel if you two did end up lifting that glitterball at the end of tomorrow's show?"rylan questions as rylee chuckles, comforting kai as she tilts her head to the side slightly

"umm...honestly, of course, it would feel amazing to win and because, obviously, kai deserves it so much. but, i...i don't know honestly! it's a weird question for me to answer because i've truthfully never thought about winning this show. like, genuinely, i only wanted to do it because nicky never got the chance to dedicate a dance to his beautiful father, god rest his soul, and i also wanted to let the country know. and, also, myself in a way, that i could be something great and that i wasn't just the younger sister of a westlife legend," rylee shrugged as rylan's shoulder's slumped and he pouted as did kai as rylee chuckled

"aw, love," rylan whispered as rylee explained herself

"i would love to lift that glitterball, rylan, don't get me wrong, of course i would, because, like i just said, kai truly deserves it. and, it would mean so much to him as well as myself if we did win it. but, i think just being on this show full stop and getting partnered up with kai and dancing with him every week and just getting to laugh with him. i mean, all of this stuff, getting to dance and laugh with him for the last thirteen weeks, and just to delve deeply into what his world is in his everyday life has been similar to the feeling of winning that trophy. like, getting to feel this new euphoric feeling of dancing a new style of latin & ballroom with kai every weekend has just been life-changing so, in all honesty, whether or not kai and i win, it won't make a single difference. and, honestly, it wouldn't make us sad or anything because just doing this competition together with the rest of this beautiful cast has been a dream," rylee smiles as she squeezes kai's hand tightly as he had been trying to compose himself the whole time, wiping away his tears as he nodded his head in agreement as rylan nods his head as well

"i know you're emotional kai but, even with all the support and the love from not just your friends and family but also from the public, what would it mean to you, kai? what would it mean for you to lift that glitterball tomorrow night?" rylan asks as kai tearfully giggles, tilting his head similarly to rylee before responding

"honestly, it would mean the entire world to me. it would mean that rylee's family were absolutely right in trusting me with their special girl. it would mean that *sniffle* everything i did was all worth it," kai whispers as he started to cry again, rylee pulling him in for a hug as rylan cooed, his shoulders relaxing again as he gave the duo a moment

"that was so sweet of you to say, kai," rylan smiles as kai nods his head, calming himself down so he can continue

"it sounds so dramatic but, i truly mean it because that's what it does mean for me. i mean, the fact that rylee and i are here and have gotten this far is the tell-all. so, we're just extremely grateful for everything," kai finishes as he wipes away the rest of his tears, rylee nods her head and rylan smiles

"we're also grateful that you two are still here! they have been amazing everybody, so sorry we couldn't find out more about the showdance but, that just means it'll be a surprise for tomorrow! well, listen, best of luck for tomorrow and get some rest because we've got a big night tomorrow. everyone, please, give it up for the amazing rylee and kai! now we go over to janette who is with the other celebrity/pro dancers," rylan finishes as rylee and kai applaud and giggle as they then leave

it was the final of strictly come dancing 2022 and rylee was just about crapping herself. all three finalists had three dances they were dancing as part of their last ever chance at winning the glitterball for 2022. the dances that rylee and kai were going to be doing is their grease-inspired quickstep, which the couple chose and was the dance that gave. them their first and earliest ever perfect score. their showdance as well as their couple's choice which was chosen by the judges to see again.

videos of rylee walking on the strictly stage in a gorgeouos red halter-neck one-piece playsuit were then shown. her blonde hair was in a slicked-back high ponytail, glittery pumps worn to tie the whole outfit all together. several videos showed rylee reaching up towards the glitterball, the biggest smile ever on her face as she stared at it in complete awe. she couldn't believe that she was a finalist in strictly come dancing 2022.

speaking in the vt for the final time, rylee smiled, "getting to the final of strictly is just incredible. like, since the beginning, i don't recall ever thinking i'd get this far even though i wanted to for nicky and his father. and, it was never because i doubted myself per se or kai but, because i genuinely didn't think that the public would be able to find me likeable. or, really, have any other personality to me other than the fact that my older brother is shane filan from westlife. however, being able to say i'm the strictly final is truly something i'm always going to be grateful and quite proud of," rylee smiles as she nods her head

kai laughed hysterically as they rehearsed for their quickstep. however, the reason why kai was laughing wasn't for the reason you'd think it would be over. rylee had just been surprised by her fiancé ollie, who had just come home from his military deployment. so, the reason why kai was laughing was that rylee was trying to teach her "uncle", nicky, westlife singer and former strictly quarter-finalist her and kai's grease-inspired quickstep. however, nicky just couldn't get it nor wrap his head around how fast it was and why it was so hard! he never rembered his quickstep with karen hauer being that quick or that difficult. even though the quickstep is quite notoriously very quick and hard. however, it seemed as if rylee was doing it seamlessly and perfectly, even with nicky not quite getting the steps. which is what made kai laugh even more which ended up with nicky and rylee laughing as well as everyone else who was watching them.

and this time, it was nicky apologising to rylee, not rylee apologising to someone else, "i'm sorry ryry, that was utter crap!" nicky chuckled as the song finished, rylee cackling, her head flying back as she calmed down before responding

"it's totally fine, nicky but, oh my god, that was hilarious!" rylee giggled as she placed her hands on the top of her head to open up her airways so she could let oxygen through to breathe properly

however, like always, with all of the laughter between the two, they also had time to knuckle down and be serious during their rehearsal time. they didn't want to mess up, not at the final of all places. they couldn't afford to since they had bascially been labelled as "perfect" since the beginning. with the exception, of course, of their vienesse waltz, there was no way in hell they were going to fuck it up now when it really mattered. after more videos of kai and rylee rehearsing their quickstep were shown, so was a voiceover of rylee talking about this dance again. talking about how excited she was in having the opportunity to dance it again in the final.

"the dance that kai and i chose as our favourite dance is our movie week quickstep inspired by grease the movie. dancing to the very iconic "you're the one that i want" by the very wonderful olivia newton-john and john travolta. and this quickstep is probably the quickest quickstep that kai has ever done with a contestant before so, the fact he gave it to me was very stressful when he first gave it to us. but, honestly, it has genuinely become one of my favourites, hence why we chose to do it again for the final," rylee smiled as she giggled in the background

"we just hope that we can recreate how it felt when it was seen for the first time all over again. because, dancing it the first time was probably the time, the highlight for me and kai on the show. so, i just hope we're able to replicate that feeling one more time on that stage," rylee smiles as the vt ends

as the vt ends, rylee and kai get into their positions and smile at the crowd hyping them up. even though it was mostly their family that could be heard. they then waited for the musical cue so kai could call out his dramatic "ry?" and the dance could begin.

hitting their final pose, rylee and kai started laughing in joy. incredibly proud that they were able to, once again, replicate what this dance was like for the first time all those weeks ago. but better. running over to tess for the judges' comments, the poor host was flabbergasted at how amazing their first dance of the evening was. it was clear that they were wanting to do nothing else but win tonight, rylee and kai.

"...what an amazing quickstep and what a joy to see it again, shirley?" tess comments before gesturing over to shirley who just looked shocked

"i am truly flabbergasted at how amazing that was you two! it was as if we were seeing this for the first time all over again! i mean, rylee, you were sassy, you were confident, you were happy. and in all honesty, you'd be an amazing sandy in the west end's version of grease. i mean, you absolutely slayed this dance and i need to say it again. because, it truly blows my mind at how easy it is for you to not just follow but also keep in time with kai! you are not falling behing at all my darling! this characterisation was perfection. i cannot wait to see your showdance and the judges choice!" shirley winks as rylee and kai smile, attempting to catch their breath and thanking the head judge

craig shakes his head with the largest smile on his face, "i know i said this when we first saw this dance but, i have to say it again. that is the quickest quickstep my eyes have ever watched and i feel dizzy but in the best way possible *laughter*. for this to be your first dance of the evening and knowing the next two that are coming, i'm flowing with excitement. i was so glad that this was the first dance you picked to do again because i have loved this dance since the start and it was a blast watching it all over again! well done and thank you for your wonderful and flawless execution of a quickstep two separate times!" craig cheers as do the audience as rylee and kai chuckle, looking over to motsi

"i mean, i am shocked! that was so much fun and so entertaining to watch! like, i can only feel happy and energetic whilst watching that dance! watching you really sink your teeth into that character again was just fantastic, rylee! as shirley said, you would be a firecracker of a sandy on the west end production of grease cause you can sing, you can dance...that's basically everything needed in a musical along with acting *laughter* and boom, you're a star! and like the other two judges before me have said, i cannot wait to see your two other dances, congratulations!" motsi smiles, giggling as rylee chuckles as well as she blows the judge a kiss as they look over at anton

"when we first saw this dance in week three, we all knew how beside myself i was so, i remembered to take in a deep breath before saying my comment *laughter*. so, rylee and kai, all i have to say is, that was brilliant and i am so thankful that you chose to perform this dance again. because, not only is it one of your favourites, it's one of my favourites too. you were sensational rylee, your legs, your smile and your extensions were glorious, as was your characterisation! i am immensely proud of you and i'm looking forward to your next two dances, well done," anton winks as rylee smiled, thanking him as does kai

tess smiled as she turned back to rylee and kai, "amazing comments, not that that isn't new, rylee and kai. however, due to time constraints, we won't have time to talk about them so, over to you claudia so we can get the judges' scores and these two can get ready for their showdance!" tess winks as rylee and kai grab hands and run over to the strictly box to get their first round of judges' scores.

"...the judges' scores are in... craig revel horwood..."

"...10!"

"motsi mabuse..."

"...10!"

"shirley ballas..."

"...10!"

"anton du beke..."

"...10!" anton smiled as the box filled up with cheers and applause for yet another perfect score for rylee and kai

"congratulations, rylee and kai, yet another pefect score! wish we could speak more but, since you've got to get ready for your showdance, we have to let you go!" claudia laughs as rylee and kai nod their heads, just as astounded as everyone else as they left to then get ready for their showdance

in the vt for rylee and kai's showdance, it was explained that this year, the showdance would be danced in between the couple's favourite and judges' pick. because the majority of the finalists had their couples' choice/most emotional dances as the judges' pick dance and they decided to show them last.

in the video, small clips of rylee and kai rehearsing the showdance were shown and it was beautiful. they were showdancing to emeli sande's shine. and, just like the first vt, many giggles and silly little mistakes were shown in this vt as well.

the amount of fun that rylee and kai were having whilst rehearsing their showdance was so much. it was joyus and filled with pure happiness for those watching.

in giggles, rylee attempted to explain her and kai's showdance, "for...for our showdance *giggles* kai and i are dancing to emeli sande's song shine. it is a gorgeous song and we--stop it kai!" rylee squealed as kai scared his celebrity partner as laughter erupted through the dance studio

"can you believe that i still have to deal with this big child?!" rylee squeals as kai hangs off of rylee's shoulders as he giggles childishly whilst his partner is trying to stay serious

"you love me, filan!" kai tries to win his partner over but, this time, it wasn't working, a death stare being fed back to the professional

"do i, widdrington?" rylee responded back with a blank face as the cameraman teased the professional who looked truly devastated

"damn, that hurt!" kai sighed as rylee burst out into laughter, hugging the professional

"i'm only joking! of course, i love you kai!" rylee giggled as kai's face went from being sad and hurt to happy again as the two of them started laughing

more clips of the two rehearsing were then shown. then a voiceover of rylee screaming in rehearsals was then shown as laughter followed afterwards.

"--let's hope and pray that the dance gods don't let us mess up this showdance because jesus christ we need this to work!" rylee is then heard saying with giggles as the vt finally wrapped up

rylee and kai were in their positions for their showdance. only hoping that nothing that could go wrong in the dance was going to go wrong.

and, nothing went wrong. the showdance was perfectly executed as rylee and kai celebrated. hugging each other in the pure joy that two dances out of three were done to perfection. running over to tess for the judges' comments for a second time, the poor host was again flabbergasted at how amazing that dance just was. and how it seemed as though rylee and kai were just soaring with their dances this final. as mentioned before, it was very clear that they were wanting to win tonight.

"what a stunning showdance, shirley?" tess comments before gesturing over to shirley who now really had no clue what to say anymore

"i thought your first dance had me flabbergasted but no, this one just accelerated it! this was a gorgeous showdance, rylee and kai. your connection was amazing, you were smiling, you were trusting with one another and the way you two were just having pure fun was just amazing to see. it was like i was watching two best friends just having the time of their lives together! i really loved it, truly i did. rylee, your extensions, your legs, and your hands were all spectacular and the lifts, wow! you two just blow me away every single week, congratulations!" shirley winks as rylee and kai smile, thanking the head judge

craig smiled brightly, "this showdance was marvellous darling! your lifts were exceptional, your extensions were gorgeous, and, oh my god, your smile and pure joy with kai was heartwarming to watch. and i am so glad we got to see it because your smile just lit up the entire stage and it was timeless. and, it's also a moment that i am genuinely never going to forget when this year's show finishes and i hope it's a moment you never forget either. i am so proud of you rylee and i cannot wait for your judges' pick," craig smiles as he applauds rylee and kai who thank him, before looking at motsi for her comment

"i'm completely stumped for words! that was so much fun and just radiated pure happiness! like, all i can feel from both of your dances so far is just joy and energy! like, i wanted to get up on the stage and dance with you and kai! your connection is so strong and your technique is flawless. well done you two, you are on a roll tonight for the final!" motsi winked as rylee felt herself blush as she felt kai hug her tighter as they then turned to anton

"what else can i say rylee? the other judges have said everything! this dance was per-fec-tion! it had everything that a showdance should have in it and you danced it beautifully! your lifts were effortless, i mean, everything in this dance was perfect from top to bottom, left to right, and side to side. well done darling, you were sensational!" anton winks as rylee smiles, thanking him again as kai does as well

tess smiles as she turns back to rylee and kai, "amazing comments, yet again you two. however, like last time, we don't have enough time sadly to talk about them. so, go over to claudia with the judges' scores!" tess smiles as rylee and kai grab hands and run over to the box to get their second round of judges' scores

"...the judges' scores are in...craig revel horwood..."

"...10!"

"motsi mabuse..."

"...10!"

"shirley ballas..."

"...10!"

"anton du beke..."

"...10!" anton smiled as the contestants and box all jumped up in cheers and applause for another one of rylee and kai's perfect scores

"congratulations, rylee and kai, another perfect score! literally record-breaking this, i've at this point lost count of how many 40s these two have gotten throughout this competiton," claudia laughs as rylee and kai nod their heads, just as astounded as the first time

once again, rylee and kai were ushered out to get changed into their outfits for the third and final dance, their judges' pick. which was their couple's choice from two weeks ago in which rylee dedicated to her deceased parents. all the other contestants had since performed their third and final dance leaving just rylee and kai to perform their last dance.

and out of nowhere, the show had suddenly gotten way too emotional from all the other couple's choices/judges' picks. however, it seemed as if rylee and kai were about to just make everyone even more emotional with their judges' picks. so, in anticipation of how her brother and westlife family were going to react, especially shane and maybe nicky and kian, rylee and kai watched their final ever vt package before their final dance on strictly come dancing for 2022.

in this final vt, no one was laughing or messing around because they didn't want to risk fucking up this beautiful and meaningful couple's choice. performed two weeks ago, it was a dance that was actually very emotional and important to rylee but important to kai as well. for the reason being that he was absolutely honoured to get to be the person showing the entire country this new and vulnerable side to rylee that wasn't even shown two weeks ago when the dance was first performed. a side of rylee that no one had ever seen, not even in the few seconds of a strictly vt package before a dance. just like two weeks ago, this couple's choice was showing the country the losses that rylee went through at seventeen and eighteen when she lost both of her parents from cancer. her mum mae the december before the pandemic started in 2019 and then ten months later, her father peter in the middle of the october 2020 lockdown. as well as a tribute to the losses she went through back in 2009 when her uncles, nicky byrne and kian egan went through the deaths of their own fathers, nikki sr and kevin. opening up about many things, one of them that didn't make the cut was the effect of her older brother's westlife fame had on her when she was constantly told that was all she'd be known for. all she wanted for this final dance was to pay tribute to her beautiful parents and nikki sr and kevin egan. she was dancing to westlife's version of the elvis costello hit, "please stay" after nicky's dad had been begging for his son to sing it. so, it was known that when nicky did lose his father, at the funeral, that was when westlife sang it for the first time, after that deciding to put the song on the newest album at the time. so, for rylee, this was an important song that she was dancing to as well as an important last dance for her time in this competition. only hoping it was enough to get her that glitterball.

"...this last dance, which is a dance that the judges' have picked, is the most emotional and the most open i have ever been with anyone. we did this dance two weeks ago and, whilst it would usually terrify me to be so open and honest with anyone let alone the entire country, i stupidly chickened out two weeks ago when i originally should have been honest and opened up. opened up about the importance and the significance this dance has for me. i have waited way too long to do this and if i am to wait any longer, i'll never do it. so, what better way to be vulnerable than getting a second chance to do the very dance that was supposed to be me at my most vulnerable. but with the dancer and person that i have trusted my whole life with for the last thirteen weeks?" rylee speaks in a voiceover over her doing a dance move from the contemporary couple's choice dance in rehearsals

"back in december of 2019, i was told whilst at school in ireland, via a phone call with my brother shane, that our mum, who had been going through five years of cancer at this stage, wasn't doing well. and that i was needing to leave school and to come visit the hospice that she was residing in. i would later find out that fifteen minutes before shane had called me that our mother had already passed away in the very same hospice with the rest of our family, excluding me, all by her bedside and that it was a peaceful death. i was just a seventeen-year-old kid who was trying to get the rest of my school year done since i was either a couple of months from graduating or a couple of months from finishing my second to last year of high school. after losing mum, i didn't think any year or life even, could be worse because what's worse than losing one parent?" rylee paused as she giggled nervously as she took in a big deep breath so she wouldn't cry straight away

"something worse than the death of one parent is the death of your remaining parent ten months later, also from cancer. in october of 2020, right in the heart of the pandemic and the lockdown. i was staying with shane, his wife and their kids, my niece and nephews. we were watching a movie, shane and myself when shane recieved a call at around 3 in the morning from our brother who was staying with our dad in the hospital..." rylee's voice faltered before she quickly gained control again and continued

"...and i could just tell from the look on shane's face that he knew what the call was about because who calls someone at 3 in the morning? even though i didn't verbally confirm it, shane did, i still knew what it was that shane was confirming. he had gotten a call from our older brother peter, who had been staying at the hospital with our dad when he told us that dad had peacefully passed away at the hospital. with him was peter himself and the amazing hospital staff of st vincents hospital by his side. finding out our dad had died just ten months after our mum felt like something from a tv show or something that was only ever really seen in those crazy film scenarios. i was eighteen when we lost our dad and i just keep on replaying the moment that we received that phone call. it was like december 2019 all over again, me getting shane's phone call at school about mum not being well and that i was needing to leave school immediately. however, i wasn't at school and i wasn't being called by shane, shane was being called by our older brother and we were stuck at his house, during lockdown. the two of us just peacefully watching movies whilst my sister-in-law and niece and nephews were peacefully sleeping when all of a sudden, the world gets pulled out from underneath us all over again..."

"...hearing that news about my parents dying was like the days i found out that my uncles, nicky and kian had lost their dads. whilst i was only young in 2009 when nicky and kian's fathers passed away, i was still upset. i was upset because it truly hit me that i was never going to see them again which then sparked the fear and paranoia that the same thing would happen to my own parents. and then, ten and eleven years later, it did happen to my family..."

"...knowing i'll never see my mum and dad again makes me feel like my world will never be the same again, it feels like life turns in slow motion now..." rylee sniffled as she covered her face before she gave up trying to be in control, finally starting to cry as the clip ended

a different video of her then started to play where she wasn't crying.

"...getting to perform this dance a second time, especially two weeks after originally dancing it with the rest of my westlife family there to watch it live just feels absolutely unreal. i mean, i've been so secretive about my couple's choice dance to the other three and their partners and kids. i even went as far as forcing them to not find the video of last week's performance on youtube and to not watch it so they would be completely surprised for saturday. but also because i know. how much of an emotional moment it's going to be for them and i want it to be the same surprise for them as it was for shane when he first saw it two weeks ago when he came to watch it. i also know how healing it'll be for them, especially nicky and kian so, i wanted to make sure it stayed pure for them, hence why i didn't tell them. and also why i forced them to skip that performance from two weeks ago. shane, gillian and their kids are genuinely the only ones who know this dance and its ins and outs and, it made them cry their eyes out when they saw it live. so, if i got them to cry, it's for sure going to get mark, nicky, kian and their partners and maybe their children too. and, hopefully my fiancé to shed a tear or two as well and, honestly, that's my goal," rylee chuckled cheekily in a less emotional clip before more clips of the couple's choice rehearsals were shown as the very snippet of the video that rylee explained, shane, gillian and his children, nicole, patrick and shane jr's, first reactions of the couple's choice dance was shown

"for my couple's choice on saturday, my last ever dane on strictly come dancing, i will be dedicating it to my parents, peter and mae filan. but, i'll also be dedicating to nicky byrne's father, nikki byrne sr and kian egan's father, kevin egan. you four may all be gone but you are never forgotten and you never will be. the westlife family love you four so much, you were all great parents to us all and we miss you every single day!" rylee finishes off the vt with a heartfelt dedication to everyone who her family and extended have lost, including the fathers of her westlife uncles, nicky and kian

as soon as kai and rylee finished the dance, she basically took a breath in before starting to cry as she ran over to her brother and family. shane, as everyong (secretly) bet on, had started crying frmo the moment the vt started playing. kian started crying the moment the song started and nicky not long after. so, when it came to who to hug first, rylee quickly had to decide, ultimately hugging her older brother first. pulling away to then move to hug nicky and kian, then mark as she then hugged all of her nieces and nephews. sadly not able to get to her sister-in-law or aunties or cailean.

after hugging one more person, her fiancé ollie. with kisses to her sister-in-law and everyone else again, rylee ran back over to kai and tess. kai grabbed a tight hold of her hand and squeezed as they got prepared for a final lot of judges' comments.

"that was a gorgeous dance, you two but, before i start crying, which could get very ugly, we'll move straight on to our judges, shirley?" tess chuckles as she swiftly brings finger under her eye as shirley smiles sweetly

"oh, rylee, whilst this is our second time seeing this dance, this is what we've been wating for! all we've wanted after so many amazingly precise and perfectly choreographed dances, even seeing this dance two weeks ago, was your vulnerability. and i am so glad you were finally able to show us after being intimidated by it two weeks ago because watching this exact dance tonight in comparison to those two weeks ago was so much better. it was so much better because we were able to really understand the song choice behind the dance and the meaning of it for you. which in turn made this weeks version of it a million miles better and that much more gutwrenching when it was paired with that emotional videotape at the beginning to then be followed by it's beautiful dance. thank you for sharing this dance with us for a second time. clearly, there was a reason why we chose it as the judges' pick *giggles*. and i am sure kai's just as thankful for you opening up to him so you two could get this dance to the pure perfection that it was just then. you were utterly stunnning and if this dance isn't what gets you two that glitterball, well i'll be damned! perfection, you two, perfection!" shirley smiles with a cheeky wink as rylee tearfully giggles, her tears drying as kai consoles her as he sweetly smiles over at shirley before craig spoke up

"i have no idea what to say because that was just exquisite, i mean, there was absolutely nothing wrong with it. i mean, all these other dances tonight, they've been so many mistakes. tiny little things that should have been fixed weeks ago when it's the final. but, every single dance that we've seen from you two, rylee and kai, have been perfection! and watching this one again with the new vulnerability and backstory just broke my hert and that doesn't happen because i'm almost always heartless *laughter*. but watching you open yourself up to all of us and to be so trusting of us to keep it safe just made my heart grow a couple of sizes only to have it be broken!" craig huffed as rylee giggled, kai was smiling as tess gestured to motsi who was slightly more emotional than shirley and craig

"this dance was gorgeous, rylee! watching you dance it a second time with the added context was beautiful and it was gut-wrenching but it was beautiful and it was filled with hope. i don't have any words because not only did the others take mine away but, seeing you dance like that and get so vulnerable just took everything i could think about away from me. i mean, this is all we ever want to see a contestant do, we want them to open up to and be vulnerable and feel safe to do so. but, the fact it has taken you this long, until the final, for you to become this vulnerable honestly breaks my heart because it feels like we should and could have given you this opportunity way earlier, not just two weeks ago when you first gave us this masterpiece. but, i am just utterly grateful to see this dance a second time now and have the honour to experience it for the first time, knowing what it means to you and why you were dancing it. just like shirley said, if this dance doesn't get you this goddamn glitterball, i'm going to throw my shoe and then eat it, and i'm not even joking in the slightest!" motsi ends her comment as everyone giggles, anton then collects himself as he had also gotten emotional before starting his comment

"wow, i mean, that really made me emotional and took me out. and it's all i've ever wanted to see from you, rylee and i'm so glad we finally got to see it. watching you in that vt share all those things that you've possibly never told anyone let alone an entire country was the bravest thing i've ever seen you do in these thirteen weeks that we've gotten to know you. the way you both had so much control yet sensitivity to the topic and the song was breathtaking. i am so proud of you rylee and i know that your parents, peter and mae, as well as nikki sr and kevin, are as well! i'm just so sorry that they're not here to tell you in person!" anton's voice breaks as he calms himself down and rylee smiles sweetly, making the decision to quickly run over and give him a hug in gratitude for his kind words

tess smiled as she thanked the judges wordlessly for their comments as she explained that once again, she couldn't have rylee and kai talk about their thoughts on the comments. ushering them over to claudia and the showbox, where they were able to.

claudia smiled as she spoke up, "what an incredibly emotional dance, half of our studio is still recovering *laughter* and frankly so am i! but, before we get to our judges' scores, rylee, you mentioned in your vt that whilst dedicating this dance to your parents, you also dedicated it to the fathers of two of your brother's band's deceased fathers, nikki sr and kevin, why was that?" claudia questions as rylee smiles as she nods her head

"the reason why i also dedicated this dance to nikki sr and kevin, especially nikki sr, was because nicky didn't get the chance to dedicate a dance of his own to his dad. since he was eliminated during week ten of his year on strictly come dancing. so, getting the opportunity to dedicate my most emotional and meaningful dance to nicky's dad as well as kian's was something that i thought was the right thing to do. especially since nicky didn't get that moment when he did the show back in 2012 and because for kian, it only felt right to pay tribute to them together rather than only just one of them," rylee smiled sweetly as that just about broke every single person's heart

the camera then zoomed down to the audience and on nicky's face as he heard rylee said that. his eyes welling up with tears still even after the performance, his wife georgina comforting him.

"oh, rylee, that is so very kind and sweet of you. i'm sure nicky and kian are gong to appreciate hearing you say that. now that we are still all recovering here after hearing that, don't lie *laughter*, let's get these judges' scores shall we?" claudia chuckles as do rylee and kai as they hold hands tightly and wait as patiently as they can

"...the judges' scores are in... craig revel horwood..."

"...10!"

"motsi mabuse..."

"...10!"

"shirley ballas..."

"...10!"

"anton du beke..."

"...10!" anton smiled as the showbox filled with cheers and applause for another perfect score for rylee and kai

"what an amazing score you two, all three of your dances tonight have been perfect scores! which, if you guys were counting, gives rylee and kai a goddamn world record. because, like i said earlier tonight, i have lost count of how many perfect scores they have recieved *laughter*. in all seriousness though, congratulations you two, that dance was perfection and possibly one of the best final dances we've ever seen, if not the best!" claudia spoke in utter shock as rylee and kai just nodded their heads

the both them in shock and still emotional from the dance because, phew, forget about it if you didn't get emotional during that dance!

after waiting for what felt like years, it had finally come to the moment that was the be-all or end-all for the remaining three contestants left. rylee and kai stood closest to the right of the stage right where her family sat, the other two couples on their left side, which she felt good about because it meant that she was right in the eye-line of her family. and, if she needed them, she could focus her eyes and concentration on them if she could just bring herself to do it and it would make her feel better. it all just seemed absolutely terrifying for rylee. sure, she had gone through twleve weeks, not including tonight, of strictly come dancing results but, it was still the first time she was on a competition show like this let alone in general. holding kai's hand in a double lock with her own, she couldn't bear looking up to face anyone. not even her family like she thought she'd be able to do. comforting her as best as he could, kai only wished that he could do all he could to make rylee feel less scared, especially since she had just spent all these weeks so closed off and basically hidden away from everyone to all of a sudden opening herself up. sharing her whole life with the world in a matter of moments during the final, he only wished he could have switched places with the young girl. however, he couldn't take her fear away or her nausea but what he could do was comfort her and take care of her like he's done the last thirteen weeks. they painstakingly waited for the final results and to who the hell was lifting this goddamn strictly glitterball trophy!

and finally, it was time to find out the winner of strictly come dancing 2022, "rylee & kai, molly & carlos and hamza & jowita, the votes have been counted and independently verified. and now we can reveal the strictly come dancing champions are..."

"...rylee and kai!!" tess and claudia announce as screams are unleashed from the stage and audience

and poor rylee just doesn't react at all. kai is shaking her to let her know that it was them that had won which finally proceeds to set off the sweetest reaction from the young girl. she latches onto kai and doesn't let him go as they both start crying.

"also, massive congratulations to our wonderful runners-up, molly & carlos and hamza & jowita, come on over here darlings," tess says, hollering the other two couples over so rylee and kai could accept their trophy

"rylee and kai, you are our winners, how does it feel?" tess questions as rylee basically shuts down and starts laughing as kai watches on fondly with a sweet smile as he tries to calm himself down

"ummm....*laughter* it feels pretty cool?" rylee shyly chuckles, her voice up an octave as she then tries to rack her brain for something better than just pretty cool

gesturing to kai, tess smiles, "it feels amazing, i mean, i just got to say the biggest thank you to this sweet, loving, talented young lady that made my whole life's work come true. i mean, i've only been a pro on this show for two years after leaving dancing with the stars ireland as one of their professionals but, i've been waiting for a moment like this for my whole life. and, now it's finally happened and it...it's all thanks to this lovely young lady right next to me! you are extraordinary, rylee! i mean, what a human being you are, right? you are something else and, i just love you, i really do so, i just gotta also say the biggest thank you to your lovely fiancé ollie for letting me steal you and ultimately trusting me in taking care of her *laughter*. she is so understanding, so funny and she's just the best team player so, big up on you putting a ring on it ollie before someone else could *laughter*..." kai trailed off before he could get anymore emotional as rylee giggled softly before racking her brain with anything else to say

with some encouragement from claudia, rylee finally found the words to say to explain how much kai and the entire experience meant to her, "...i...i just want to say, you are so incredible, kai and you always pushed me to be the person i always wanted myself to be. and, you always had the utmost belief in my than i sometimes had in myself! you already know what an amazing teacher you are but, i just feel like i haven't expressed to you enough what a great friend you are because this entire journey *laughter* it was always you that was there for me when my friends and family weren't able to be. and, i just can't thank you enough for what you've done these last thirteen weeks of this season in my life like, you're so amazing and i am so grateful i was gifted as having you as my pro and as a best friend. we've gone through so much together and i just want you to know and remember that no matter what happens, no matter where we go in life after this and when we next see each other after this, i hope you never forget that you'll always have a piece of my heart, kai. and you'll never ever be forgotten as the person who truly gave me back my joy," rylee sobbed at the end as kai tearfully chuckled as he swiped rylee up in a hug as he quietly thanked her in the hug

the studio audience, judges, hosts and fellow contestants then showered the winners in applause and cheers.

"congratulations..."

"...we did it!"

"yes, you did it! the glitterball trophy is yours! your strictly come dancing champions 2022...you can lift it up!" after some hesitations as to who was going to pick it up, rylee just went for it and lifted up the trophy whilst kai hugged from behind as sparkles flew and cheers were heard from probably a couple of countries let alone the next couple of counties over because of how loud everyone in the studio was

rylee and kai celebrated as claudia and tess finished up the show, closing it out for one final time for the year before the christmas special. after once again, congratulating kai and rylee as the 2022 strictly champions, westlife's "world of our own" played in the background. it played as the winning couple danced together for one last final time as the other contestants stormed the stage. however, it truly couldn't have been a winning moment if the two winners weren't lifted up in the air. so, the contestants parted ways to let the filan and westlife families through to have the honour in lifting up the winners.

then, when the show finally went off the air, shane, nicky and kian, who had been the three holding up rylee, let their sister and niece to the floor. only for her to be picked right back up again by her fiancé as they celebrated together. the contestants and family then go wild as the engaged couple kissed which made the couple giggle. then, people started to post on their social media about rylee and kai's amazing win after strictly's instagram post. rylee then posted her own, posting one last weekly strictly come dancing update before announcing in that very same post that she and kai had indeed won the show!

liked by bbcstrictly, shanefilanofficial, kianegan, markusmoments, olliestewart, nickybyrneinsta, nadiyabychkova, amy_dowden, diannebuswell and 99k others

ryleefilan even though it does break my heart to post my final strictly come dancing weekly update, here she is. strictly come dancing final 2022: slides one and two" kai and i hardcore rehearsing for last weekend's final. slide three: a polaroid of ollie and me after he had surprised me during a filmed vt rehearsal after he had come home from army deployment overseas. slide four: me looking really angsty or as i like to call my "not so nicky, rylee look". slide five: me and nicole celebrating after the finals at the beach (photo taken by the lovely mr shane filan, ze big brother). slide six: me and aunty jodi having some cheeky drinky-poos (taken by the lovely uncle kian after refusing to join the photo) and slide seven: what the hell, kai and i are the winners of strictly come dancing 2022! so yeah, if you've been living under a rock or just haven't been paying any attention lately, let alone the final itself, spoiler alert, kai and i are the 2022 strictly champions! the reason why you saw the rest of the casts' posts before mine, or if you haven't, i'm the last one to post about this. and it's because i truly just wanted to wait until everyone else had posted about it since they clearly were able to and i'm glad they did. all of them had such lovely things to say and it was beautiful reading all of them so, thank you. and, no, i wasn't "gatekeeping" the information of my own strictly win, it was truly just because i wanted to wait. i also wanted my emotions to be brought back down to earth after being on such a high and when i first tried to write this caption, it was completely unintelligible and made no sense whatsoever. which also ties into the reason why the first thing that came out of my mouth after kai and i were announced as the winners was "ummm....it feels pretty cool?" because i just had absolutely no idea what to say and because i was so overwhelmed. it was also because i saw my family reacting and they were just so estactic that it completely blindsided me when tess had asked me to say something when kai didn't first. however, in saying that, of course, i have loads more photos of the final of strictly that will be posted later so the rest of my heartfelt words and thanks will be included in those posts! okay bye, i love you!

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bbcstrictly still crying over this monumental win, not going to lie

ryleefilan bbcstrictly so am i guys, so am i!

shanefilanofficial watching myself cry my eyes out and scream in excitement and joy that whole evening will for sure become a meme at some point if it hasn't already

ryleefilan shanefilanofficial i knew it was your fault for the reason why i started crying so much! seriously though shay, your reactions were truly the sweetest, i love you!

shanefilanofficial ryleefilan i love you too sweet girl!

kianegan shane wasn't the only one crying the whole time, jesus! that's my entire river of tears gone for the rest of this year and maybe the next two!

ryleefilan kianegan you say that now, uncle kian...

kianegan ryleefilan ssh, come on now rylee, don't call me out!

markusmoments that moment your name was called out as the winner and seeing your reaction will always make me awe and make my heart go all warm and fuzzy

ryleefilan markusmoments i hope they post a gif of my reaction and then a gif of how you guys in the audience reacted!

markusmoments ryleefilan oh my gosh, they totally should!

olliestewart oh i am so proud of you baby girl! watching you win that glitterball was truly everything i could have ever dreamt of!

ryleefilan olliestewart i love you, babe!

nickybyrneinsta this was the best night of my life, screw me losing strictly, watching you win was even better!

ryleefilan nickybyrneinsta im DYING! SCREW LOSING STRICTLY, WATCHING ME WIN WAS EVEN BETTER BAHAHA!

nickybyrneinsta but in all seriousness, ry, like kian, i think all of my tears have been cried for the next few years! when you dedicated the couples' choice to nucal and kev as well as your own parents will always make me cry!

ryleefilan nickybyrneinsta it was something i was always going to do, nico!

nadiyabychkova i love you so much, rylee! and i'll miss you every week. you and kai so deserved that win! i was sobbing the whole time!

ryleefilan nadiyabychkova i love you too nadiya, and i'll miss you more! and i saw you sobbing and i was wanting to run and give you a hug so badly but i couldn't get to you!

amy_dowden omg watching you lift that glitterball was the most wholesome thing ever! i love you ryry!

ryleefilan amy_dowden i love you too amy! i'll miss seeing you every week omg!

diannebuswell oh my gawd, watching you dance your couples' choice dance again was so emotional and then watching you win was too much for me! i'm so proud of you rylee! i miss you already!!

ryleefilan diannebuswell i miss you too di! and i agree, rewatching that vt package before the dance was rough holy crap, shocked i didn't cry until the very end of the dance!

fin

i love the new format i have for smau's now and i'm so happy to continue them for my westlife fics!

#westlife #shane filan #angst #fluff #if any of these topics trigger you please do not read because it is not my fault if these triggers and warnings are ignored

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amberjazmyn · 1 year ago

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shane filan one-shot

𝓲𝓶𝓪𝓰𝓲𝓷𝓮 - not here to tell you

𝔀𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 - slightly sad, mention of deceased parents, older brother x shane, strictly come dancing and winning strictly come dancing

𝓭𝓮𝓼𝓬𝓻𝓲𝓹𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 - rylee filan, younger sister of westlife legend shane filan is dancing her last three dances on strictly come dancing as her last chance to win the mirrorball trophy. during her couple's choice, which was a dance dedicated to her and shane's deceased parents (as well as nicky byrne and kian egan's fathers), a sweet moment ensues between one of the judges and the filan.

𝓪𝓾𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓻𝓼 𝓷𝓸𝓽𝓮 - this was originally taken from an old book of mine on wattpad and then i rewrote it for a one-shots book and now i'm writing it for tumblr. we love recycled works!

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