THEY are the pint-sized pair who won the hearts of thousands with their fast and furious Tango and incredible dancefloor chemistry.

Vincent Simone and his beautiful partner Flavia Cacace are world renowned dance champions and Strictly Come Dancing superstars who are credited for getting a nation on its feet.

Last night at Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre their mesmerising moves and ability to tell a love story without uttering a single word reduced many members of a packed out audience to tears.

In what will sadly be their last ever theatre show, The Last Tango kicked and flicked its way into town – waltzing a gripped audience into a story of young love and romance.

It is the last in a trilogy of sell-out UK shows with the pair previously touring with Midnight Tango and Dance ‘Til Dawn.

The tale was cleverly brought to life through the eyes of an old man called George – played by the brilliant Teddy Kempner - as he cleared out his attic and packed a case of memories of the life he had lived and the wife he had loved.

The story began as the young couple met, dated and married to the joy of their friends – a small but perfectly formed nine-strong company of superb dancers and often to the sound of the gifted Matthew Gent.

But it is not long before their idyllic life was thrown into disarray as a young George is called up to serve with the army and they are separated, with moving scenes as the pensioner pours over the love letters they exchanged.

Home from war, the journey continues as the couple have four children before tragedy strikes and their worlds are torn apart.

So powerful was their story telling and emotional was their performance that you could have heard a pin drop inside the auditorium as people sat wiping tears from their eyes.

It is easy to see why Vincent and Flavia are ten-dance champs as they brought home the highs and lows of life and love together through their perfectly executed rise and fall on the stage.

Thankfully the tragic tale didn’t end there and there was a show-stopping finale that brought many to their feet.

And in what felt like one final hurrah to show off their unbelievable skill, Vincent and Flavia delivered a fast, furious and breath-taking Argentine Tango that will live with their fans for years to come and serve as a reminder of just what we are set to miss.

By Jenny Makin

The Last Tango runs until Saturday. Tickets: 023 8071 1811 or at mayflower.org.uk.