After Bobby Brazier, one EastEnders star is alleged to be ready for the upcoming season of Strictly Come Dancing, but fans will be surprised to see him as he already won the show.
Jamie Borthwick’s moves on the dancefloor were enough for Strictly bosses to sign him up for the programme’s upcoming season.
The actor, 30, is best known is a fan favourite in EastEnders but reports have now suggested that he could take on a new project on BBC One and more particularly on Strictly Come Dancing.
However, Jamie’s participation may come as a shock to regular viewer of the dancing competition as he already took part in the festive edition of the show in December, 2023.
Partnered up at the time with dancer Nancy Xu, Jamie Borthwick impressed judges and viewers alike when he scored the highest possible mark of 40 in the Christmas show.
One source told The Sun: “Although an EastEnders actor is on Strictly every year, this is the first time a performer on the festive special has gone directly into the competition. Producers and viewers were blown away by Jamie’s dancing.” But could it mean trouble for his on-screen character? The insider couldn’t say anything more: “It’s not clear yet whether he will take a break from the soap or if he’ll juggle dance rehearsals with doing scenes for the soap.”
During last year’s series, Jamie’s co-star Bobby Brazier took part in Strictly with professional Dianne Buswell on his arm. The Freddie Slater star had received the support of Jamie – who also revealed he had turned down Strictly bosses in September, 2023. “They have asked me actually”, Jamie told OK! Magazine at the time. “I can’t remember what year, 2018 I think. But it didn’t work out so I didn’t end up doing it. But… yeah.”
Speculation around the Strictly Come Dancing line-up has been rife and the show is due to celebrate its 20th anniversary, a happy event which has recently been thrown into chaos as plans to film the show at Buckingham Palace are said to have been scrapped. The hard-hitting decision has been blamed on “logistical problems” and “diary clashes” but behind the scenes, rumours have been swirling that Giovanni Pernice’s bullying scandal has become a factor.
The professional dancer has been accused of bullying his celebrity dance partners including Amanda Abbington and Laura Whitmore over his harsh training methods ahead of the live shows. And on the back of the allegations, which he vehemently denies, the TV star quit this year’s series as the BBC launched an investigation into the public allegations.
