Strictly The Real Full Monty fans brand Christine McGuinness a 'role model' and praise Laila Morse

ITV's Strictly The Real Full Monty made its glitzy and glamorous return on Monday night.

And emotional viewers branded Christine McGuinness, 33, a 'role model' and praise 'inspiring' Laila Morse, 76, as they stripped off to promote life-saving cancer checks.

Taking to social media, fans admitted they were in tears watching the first night of the special show, and lauded the stars for their bravery.

Amazing! ITV's Strictly The Real Full Monty viewers branded Christine McGuinness, 33, a 'role model' as she stripped off to promote life-saving cancer checks on Monday night

Viewers noted how Christine - who is autistic - should be proud of herself for speaking candidly about autism and how she feels while taking part in the show.   

Autism is a condition that means your brain works in a different way from other people, and can impact how you interact with the world.

One viewer tweeted: 'Christine McGuinness You are amazing, Paddy will be super proud of you #fullmonty.'

'#ChristineMcGuinness you are a brave beautiful woman anyone that struggles with autism can look up to you and see what they can achieve with confidence, you're all amazing,' added another.  

Inspiring! Taking to social media, fans praised 'inspiring' Laila Morse, 76, for being so care-free as she got her kit off on television

Brave: Viewers noted how Christine - who is autistic - should be proud of herself for speaking candidly about autism and how she feels while taking part in Strictly The Real Full Monty

Baring all: Laila felt entirely comfortable flashing her bare chest - and viewers praised her for her inspirational attitude

No holding back! Laila was quick to whip off her bra during dance rehearsals

Someone else gushed: '#strictlytherealfullmonty #strictlyfullmonty Wow Christine McGuinness thank you! If more women openly say they are autistic, more will feel so not alone!

'My 17 yr old has asked to be tested..she knows & we know...but she is finally confident to accept the amazing person she is!'

Another tagged Christine's husband and revealed: '@PaddyMcGuinness I am watching the Full Monty and I have fallen in love with your wife.

Behind the scenes: Christine and Laila posed topless with fellow stars Demi Jones, Teddy Soares, Colin Jackson, James Jordan, Duncan James, Brenda Edwards, and Martin Roberts

Love island: Demi and Teddy posed together for raunchy show snaps

Oh my! Former Strictly star James Jordan held a top hat to cover his modesty

Giving it a go: Brenda and Duncan teamed up for their raunchy shots

Dare to bare: The male stars were also filmed practising their routine

'What an amazing role model to not only your beautiful children but also to women everywhere. She is amazing, so brave #strictlyfullmonty.' 

'Christine McGuinness should be sooo soo proud of herself. Speaking up about Autism, everything she said then is exactly how I feel and seeing that I know I can fight anything that's in my way!

'Just a little appreciation post. #strictlyfullmonty,' tweeted someone else.' 

Amazing! Viewers were left in awe of Christine and took to Twitter to share their praise

Others praised actress Laila - who is a breast cancer survivor - for being care-free in her approach to life.

One person tweeted: '#strictlyfullmonty #leila you absolute inspiration, in tears here!' 

'I love Leila Morse & she is ruddy inspiring. #fullmonty #GoLeila,' gushed someone else, while another viewer asserted: 'Laila Morse is my new forever hero. What a woman #fullmonty.' 

'Absolute respect to Laila Morse #fullmonty,' tweeted one fan with someone else writing: 'Oh Laila, you my dear are one amazing brave lady. Crying happy tears, because you're so right.. JUST LIVE because you only get one chance to. #fullmonty #ITV #cancer.'

Respect! Others praised actress Laila for being care-free in her approach to life

It comes after Christine revealed in her autobiography, Christine McGuinness: A Beautiful Nightmare, that she had been diagnosed with autism. 

Christine and husband Paddy have three children, eight year-old twins Leo and Penelope, and five year-old Felicity, who have all been diagnosed with autism. 

In an extract seen by The Mirror, Christine wrote: 'I have been confirmed as autistic. It's strange, but I've noticed there are little hints throughout my life that I'm autistic and more like my children than I ever could have imagined.  

Honest: It comes after Christine revealed in her autobiography, Christine McGuinness: A Beautiful Nightmare, that she had been diagnosed with autism

'My issues with food, my social ­struggles, how hard I find it to make friends and stay focused, and my indecisiveness. The way I float through life reminds me of how my eldest daughter Penelope is.' 

The model explained that she was diagnosed in August after she and Paddy, 48, were invited to meet Sir Simon Baron-Cohen who is the director of Cambridge University's Autism Research Centre.   

The couple both filled out an AQ Questionnaire which is designed to measure the expression of Autism-Spectrum traits in a person. And while an average neurotypical person would score about 15, which Paddy did, hers was 36.