George Sampson was told by doctors that he might never dance again after sustaining an injury to his back.
The Britain's Got Talent winner shared his story as part of an emotional performance on last night's Britain's Got Talent: The Champions.
The 26-year-old won the second series of the TV talent show back in 2008 and is now back to compete against other winners to be named the champ.
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But it's not all been plane sailing for George, who revealed that he suffered a horrific back injury a year later.
George says: "Around a year after winning Britain's Got Talent I sustained a really bad back injury, and doctors told me I might not ever be able to dance again.
"To be told bluntly, 'no', was devastating. I'm stubborn. There was no chance I was going to stop dancing. It's been a long road to recovery, but I've worked hard and I'm back.
"This is another two minutes of my life that can change everything so I've given everything and you'll see everything."
He then wowed the judges with his high-energy routine, which saw him dancing around while water poured down to imitate rain - even Ant and Dec joined in at one point, wearing some bright yellow wellies and carry a brolly.
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Judge David Walliams was a huge fan of the routine, branding the dancer a 'real life Billy Elliot'.
While Amanda Holden added: "George you are the comeback kid. You literally are a fighter. A fantastic nod back to your first audition and the final you won. So lovely to see you all grown up, happy and successful."
Even notoriously hard to please Simon Cowell praised George, after calling his 2008 performance 'iconic' he said: "You've come back as a man, a champion, a great guy. I'm absolutely thrilled you're here."
A delighted and emotional George said: "I wouldn't change it for anything. It's been the most amazing time in my life. I owe it all to this show."
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Unfortunately for George, his performance wasn't enough to earn him a spot in the final - with Preacher Lawson picking up the audience vote, and Stavros Flatley being given Simon's golden buzzer.
Featured Image Credit: ITVTopics: TV and Film