Strictly fans react as Jessie J delivers stunning launch show performance after surgery

Singer Jessie J graced the stage on tonight's inaugural Strictly Come Dancing show of 2025, a mere 12 weeks after undergoing a mastectomy for breast cancer.

The 37-year-old chart sensation, famed for smash hits such as Price Tag and Do It Like A Dude, belted out her song Living My Best Life on the dance competition's pre-recorded special launch performance, which saw the celebrities paired with their pro partners.

Despite continuing to perform at gigs, including a festival in Sao Paulo, Ronnie Scott's club in London and Radio 2 In The Park this month, Jessie revealed that she will be undergoing further surgery in four weeks time after doctors discovered 'more breast cancer in other places'.

Jessie initially shared the heart-breaking news that she had been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in June 2025. This followed the discovery of a lump on her breast, which was later confirmed to be a 5cm tumour.

Fans were thrilled to see the singer on the series, with one viewer sharing: "Good to see Jessie J performing after her health struggles," reports Wales Online.

Another added: "Jessie J performing while battling cancer and still sounding amazing. Always loved her music."

In an Instagram video to her 14.2 million followers, she confessed that she had been unsure about whether to share the news publicly, but decided to do so in the spirit of honesty, as she has always been open about her life events.

She disclosed at the time: "Before [her new single] No Secrets came out, I was diagnosed with early breast cancer. I'm highlighting the word early. Cancer sucks in any form, but I'm holding on to the word early. I have been in and out of tests throughout this whole period."

In characteristic Jessie style, she joked: "It's a very dramatic way to get a boob job. I am going to disappear for a bit after Summertime Ball to have my surgery, and I will come back with massive tits and more music."

Later that same month, Jessie confirmed the Capital Summertime Ball on June 15 would be her final performance before undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

Taking to the stage, she delivered a moving tribute to her fans whilst announcing she was stepping back from music to concentrate on her recovery.

She told the audience: "Today, this show is my last show before I go to beat breast cancer. So it's so special to me, you have no idea. I feel so special to be from the UK, to be an honest person and say how you feel.

"This is my last show before I have treatment., It's the most special thing and I'm so grateful for this life, for you guys, for my career, to my, my son. My partner, my parents. My family, my band, my crew. We are so lucky, we have so much to live for, so much joy, so much, so many things to do."

In a social media post last week, Jessie revealed that she would be having additional surgery in four weeks' time, after biopsies from an MRI scan showed 'breast cancer in other places. '.

Posting a video of herself performing at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London, she penned: "Today marks 12 weeks since my mastectomy for breast cancer and 4 weeks until my next surgery.

"I feel like only now I'm really processing how much I have done in the last 5 months since my diagnosis. I am not ashamed to say I am so proud of myself.

"This showcase was the afternoon after I had 5 more biopsies after they had found more breast cancer in other places after my MRI. No one knew at this point. So watching this back just feels so special knowing what I have endured and overcome."

She went on to say: "I have done and am still doing my best in all that life has thrown at me this year. I truly feel SO INSPIRED. I am still very much in it BUT IMO it's so important to celebrate these milestones. So that's what I am doing today! For me!".

"I am heading to the gym now for the first time in 3 months, and then I'm going to sing for thousands of fans later on stage at @thetownfestival in Brazil. Anyone going through a tough time and having to still show up for life and raising kids and jobs and other people still. I'm hugging you proper."

You can catch up on Strictly Come Dancing on BBC iPlayer now.