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85-year-old BGT: The Champions salsa dancer Paddy reveals the secret of a long healthy life — chocolate!

2016 finalists Paddy and Nico receive David Walliams' golden buzzer

BGT: The Champions saw the return of octogenarian salsa dancer Paddy and her younger partner Nico on tonight’s show.

And after receiving judge David Walliams’ golden buzzer, the 85-year-old revealed the rather surprising secret to her long, active life.

Asked by hosts Ant & Dec how she managed to be so acrobatic at such a ripe age, having been thrown around by her 45-year-old Spanish dance partner, she said: “I eat lots of chocolate.

She added: “I have Nestle’s condensed milk on my cereal in the morning and sugar in my coffee.”

Viewers were delighted at her answer and took to Twitter to share their joy.

One fan posted: “Right I’m off to buy chocolate, condensed milk and sugary coffee. Who wants to be rich or skinny?”

Nico lifts Paddy during their routine (Credit: ITV)

Another wrote: “85 years young and says she eats lots of chocolate, Paddy should definitely be the new face of @CadburyUK.”

Read more: Fans vent fury as BGT: The Champions favourites “robbed” of place in final

Paddy and Nico’s extraordinary, high-energy routine earned David Walliams’ golden buzzer, putting them straight to next month’s grand final.

The judge told them: “There are very few acts you can watch with a smile on your face and tears in your eyes, because this is one of the most joyous, most beautiful, most life-affirming act we’ve ever had on Britain’s Got Talent.”

Alesha Dixon said: “You are already champions in my eyes because people love you.

David gives the pair his golden buzzer (Credit: ITV)

“We adore you, we respect you, the relationship is gorgeous and I can’t wait to see you in the final.”

Amanda Holden, who gave the duo her golden buzzer at the BGT auditions in 2014, said: “David, I love you for pressing your golden buzzer.”

She told the dancing pair: “I am so proud of you and I adore you both.”

Paddy’s emotional response to the golden buzzer (Credit: ITV)

Simon Cowell added: “It doesn’t matter how old you are. You’ve got that determination, and the fact you’ve got people on their feet supporting both of you is incredible.

“David, what a great golden buzzer. Good for you.”

Earlier, Paddy told how a dream life of retirement in Spain had turned to tragedy.

Paddy and Nico were finalists in 2016 (Credit: ITV)

She said: “I moved to Spain with my husband in 2001 but unfortunately he died after just 12 months, so I’ve been on my own all that time.

“And then I took up dancing and Nico gave me a new reason for carrying on.

“It has given inspiration to a lot of people.”

The pair’s routine won over a whole new army of fans, with social media abuzz with praise.

Read more: Simon Cowell admits he and Amanda Holden ‘had too much’ Botox

* BGT: The Champions continues next Saturday night on ITV.

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Nancy Brown
Associate Editor

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