The EastEnders star whose Strictly casting might irk purists
"Get Free Real-Time Breaking News Alerts"
Subscribe For Our Free Breaking News Emails
Subscribe To Our Free Breaking News Alerts
I would like to receive emails regarding promotions, events, and news from The Independent. Please take a look at our privacy policy.
Jamie Borthwick's participation in this year's Strictly Come Dancing could surprise some people.
Following speculation about joining the BBC dance competition, the EastEnders actor's involvement was officially announced in August.
Nonetheless, some fans of the show could be annoyed by his participation, as they think that contestants shouldn't have any previous dance background. Borthwick, 30, triumphed in the Strictly Christmas special with Nancy Xu in December 2023.
The couple executed the Quickstep and scored the highest possible rating of 40 points from the judges.
Borthwick is set to join this year's lineup, which features participants such as TV host Nick Knowles, singer Toyah Willcox, and model and ex-Love Island contestant Tasha Ghouri.
The actor is most recognized for his portrayal of Jay Brown in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, a part he has been playing since 2006 when he was only 14 years old. His performance on the show later earned him a British Soap Award for “Best Dramatic Performance from a Young Actor or Actress” in 2008. Additionally, he has appeared in the Lee Mack comedy series Not Going Out.
Borthwick was a student at the Sylvia Young Theatre School, which has produced famous alumni such as Daniel Kaluuya, Dua Lipa, and Amy Winehouse.
In 2019, Borthwick participated in the London Marathon alongside several of his EastEnders castmates to promote awareness about dementia, paying tribute to Barbara Windsor. Sadly, the actress, known for her role as Peggy Mitchell, passed away a year later. Earlier this year, he again took part in the London Marathon, this time in character, as part of a storyline aimed at highlighting brain tumors.
He has frequently dealt with speculation about a relationship with his co-star Danielle Harold, who was part of the most recent season of I'm a Celebrity.
Harold commented on the rumors, saying, "I'll just let that sit for now because it's really amusing. It brings me a lot of joy, and I wouldn't want to ruin it!"
The actor had shared earlier that he was invited to participate in Strictly in 2018, but mentioned that the arrangement "fell through."
This offer is exclusive to new subscribers. The cost is £8.99 per month after the free trial period. Your plan will automatically renew unless you decide to cancel it.
This offer is available exclusively for new subscribers. The monthly fee is £8.99 after the free trial period. The plan will automatically renew unless you decide to cancel it.
Commenting on his new role, Borthwick shared, "I had a fantastic time participating in the Strictly Christmas special last year, so when I got the opportunity to be a part of this series, it was an immediate yes!"
"This is an exciting new challenge, and it will be a unique experience to learn a different dance each week while receiving public feedback."
"I can't wait to be dancing Salsa at Albert Square soon! I'll be reaching out to my fellow Walford Strictly stars for some tips. See you on the dance floor!"
Layton Williams, a former contestant on Strictly, faced criticism because of his background in musical theatre. Critics claimed that his prior dance experience gave him an edge over the other participants.
In an interview, he commented on the criticism he's faced: "I've accepted it; I understand where people are coming from. But if you could see what's happening in this rehearsal space, you'd realize it's not as simple for me."
