Strictly Come Dancing - Grieving Kelly Brook to continue training

29 November 2007 - Strictly Come Dancing contestant Kelly Brook will stay in the competition even though her dad passed away this week.

The model and actress, whose father Kenneth has been battling cancer, has not previously mentioned his illness and has worked hard to become a favourite for winning the series.

And she is determined to keep on dancing following his sad death at the beginning of this week.

"Kelly will continue to honour her work commitments to the best of her abilities as her father would have wanted," a statement announced. "Kelly would like to take this opportunity to thank the media for respecting her family's privacy over this personal matter during recent weeks."

The 28-year-old has wowed viewers so far with dance partner Brendan Cole but her lacklustre performance on the latest edition brought some negative comments from the judges and left her competing with John Barnes to stay in the show.

She has continued rehearsing this week and may be hoping to regain her position near the top of the leaderboard once again.

Prior to her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing, Kelly starred in Smallville and film thriller Three, after starting her career as a presenter on The Big Breakfast.

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