Claudia Karvan reveals the heartbreaking story behind her salsa following the death of her friend 

She topped the leaderboard on Dancing With The Stars on Sunday night. 

And now Claudia Karvan has revealed the heartbreaking story behind her emotionally-charged salsa routine with dance partner, Aric Yegudkin.

The 47-year-old actress said she was inspired by her best friend Samantha, who tragically died two years ago.

In a piece-to-camera, Claudia explained the last time she saw her lifelong friend, who she described as ‘like a sister’, was at a salsa class.

‘The last time I saw her, I took her to a salsa workshop and looked across at her and saw her moving her hips, and she had this smile on her face… And I thought, ”She’s going to be OK”,’ she said.

‘Unfortunately, that was the last time I saw her.’

The Love My Way actress admitted she now can’t do the dance without thinking of her beloved friend.

‘Salsa dancing makes me think of Samantha because she loved dancing,’ she said.

‘She was very spontaneous and effervescent, and there’s a sort of character about salsa that reflects Samantha.’ 

She then went on to dedicate Sunday night’s performance to her.

‘I am doing this dance for Samantha… Her son said to me ”I hope she is dancing with you, wherever she is”,’ she said. 

Claudia maintained her lead after she performed the emotionally-charged routine.

Judge Sharna Burgess was blown away by the stars sizzling performance, describing it as ‘a beautiful way to open our second show of the season’. 

Former Married At First star Dean Wells became the first celebrity to be voted off.

Dancing With The Stars returns at 7:30pm on February 24.