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.


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

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.



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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

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.


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


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


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


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


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source: dailymail

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