RICKI Lake moved The X Factor: Celebrity viewers to tears tonight with her emotional tribute to her late husband who took his own life.
The iconic chat show host got a standing ovation after performing bare foot as she bravely told her tragic story through song.
Ricki Lake got a standing ovation with her stunning performance
The Emmy award-winner was left devastated by the death of Christian Evans who died by suicide in 2017 after a battle withbipolar disorder.
She married the jewellery designer in 2012 and filed for divorce three years later, but their relationship never ended.
She was in London guest-judging Take Thats BBC1 talent show Let It Shine in 2017 when she was given the heartbreaking news.
Ricki plunged into depression after Christians death.
Ricki with her late husband Christian Evans
She admitted her X Factor: Celebrity audition was dedicated to her late love, and viewers were in pieces.
One person said: “@RickiLake you sound beautiful. What an amazing song and performance you gave. Im literally sat here in tears .. I love you so much, you brave and beautiful soul #XFactorCelebrity
Another said: “Loving her singing on #xfactor Even though she’s way too cool to be on this show …”
@RickiLake you sound beautiful. What an amazing song and performance you gave. Im literally sat here in tears
.. I love you so much, you brave and beautiful soul
#XFactorCelebrity @TheXFactor
— Lewis (@lewniverse) October 19, 2019
She now travels around with a Shih Tzu poodle called Mama who is her legal therapy dog.
Opening up to The Dan Wootton Podcast about her loss, Ricki said: “He was my favourite person I ever knew, he was so gifted. They say genius and madness go hand in hand. I was never happier than when I was with him, its just a tragedy that I dont think Ill ever fully recover from.
“If I go there I could get really teary eyed hes literally the best thing that ever happened to me.
“Its nice to be back in London after having these traumatic experiences. I do feel that hes with me.
Admitting her dog Mama saved her, Ricki added: “I rescued her and then she rescued me, Ricki explains in her all-American accent that zings with empathy. When I drive my car she sits on my lap and its like this calming presence and its palpable. Shes like medicine.
Ricki Lake's X Factor diary
AFTER moving to London for two months to film The X Factor : Celebrity, she tells The Sun Online what she's been getting up to since joining the show.
Day One: X Factor HQ
I was really pleased when they said everyone was coming to LA to do the auditions at Simons house because its so close to my home, so it was perfect! The house they are using for the X Factor HQ is stunning. Its so hot though, were all melting. My place is on the beach so its much cooler, I cant get over how hot it is! We had this drinks reception in the garden of HQ where we all got to meet each other for the first time.
Day Two: Performance day
I hope that the UK will be rooting for me! I don’t know, I’m going to do my best but I really have very, very low expectations. I don’t know if my voice is incredible, it’s solid. I’ll give it that. I can hit notes and I’m pretty good on pitch but I’m definitely not the best singer here.
I don’t usually get nervous. The thing that is slightly nerve-wracking is the lyrics, I do not want to mess up the lyrics. I think I might be a little nervous singing in front of Simon Cowell, truth be told, he’s a pretty intimidating guy. But I really love my songs, I’ve worked really hard, I think I sound pretty good for an amateur. I’m ready!
Day Three: The big reveal
Im not nervous about whether I get through or not because its totally out of my control. I would love to get to the live shows just because it would be such a great experience and would be amazing to spend some quality time in London.
I hope I get to go to the live shows and then if I get booted off fast I think I’m going to go to Ibiza and spend some time there and then go back and do the finale. My wheels are turning. I’m like, “If I’m on the show for a week or two I can spend a couple weeks in London and then have a month to travel. I want to go to Lisbon too. I’ve never been there. But Ibiza’s my home away from home and I haven’t been this summer and so I really want to go. I love to go off season when it’s quiet, with all my friends there. That’s on my radar. So maybe I will be spending more time in Europe this year, fingers crossed!
Ricki has found love again, with eco fashion designer Jeff Scult, after being introduced by a mutual friend.
And she’s taking a leap of faith by signing up to The X Factor: Celebrity. She’s even moved over to London for two months while it’s being screened.
She’s up against stars like Megan McKenna and Kevin McHale, as well as journalist Martin Bashir who surprised everyone last week with his secret talent.
She says: I was thrilled at this opportunity, honestly. People were like, Why are you doing this? Im like, Why the hell not?This is amazing, to get to live in this city, to get to reintroduce myself to this audience who always loved me and grew up for me, and try something Ive never done before.Its a win, win, win.
- The X Factor: Celebrity airs every Saturday on ITV at 8.30pm.
