The EastEnders legend said her co-star “loved every minute” of his time in the BBC dance competition, and has offered some words of comfort
An EastEnders actress has revealed that she’s been offering support to co-star Jamie Borthwick following his exit from Strictly Come Dancing.
In the latest episode of the Off The Telly podcast with EastEnders’ Natalie Cassidy and Gavin and Stacey’s Joanna Page, the two TV stars shared their thoughts about Jamie’s recent exit from the beloved BBC dance competition.
Jamie, who plays Jay Brown in the iconic soap, became the ninth celebrity to depart the show last weekend. Paired up with Michelle Tsiakkas, the couple lost out to Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe after facing them in the dance-off.
In the aftermath of the actor’s exit, Natalie, who competed on Strictly herself in 2009, says she’s been offering support to Jamie, saying “he’s loved every minute of it”, but “Auntie Nat’s checking in”.
Natalie said: “She was good and Jamie’s had a brilliant time; he’s loved every minute of it so bless him. It is what it is now.”
Joanna replied: “Did you see Michelle crying? It was just so sad. It must be incredibly difficult, mustn’t it? You know, to be…because I imagine when you’re on it, it’s huge in your life. It takes over your whole life.”
The EastEnders legend continued: “Yeah, and that’s what I said to him. I said, ‘Don’t be disheartened now, this week, because it’s very odd. It’s full-on and then you just stop’.
“It’s like a bereavement, you know? I said, ‘So you come on; you’ll be alright. Get on with other stuff. Eat your chips’. It’ll be alright; bless his heart. He’s alright. I’m checking in with him. Auntie Nat’s checking in.”
In the latest round, Jamie and Michelle performed a foxtrot to Stand By Me by Ben E King, securing a score of 32. Montell and Johannes’ performance saw them quickstep to Get Happy by Ella Fitzgerald, landing 37.
Speaking to host Tess Daly after the final decision was made, Jamie described Strictly as “magic”. Meanwhile, Michelle heaped praise on her dance partner, saying he is an “amazing dancer” and “worked so hard”.
It means that Montell is one of the final six celebrities in the show, a number that has reduced from 15 since the start, with the Olympian joining Chris McCausland, JB Gill, Tasha Ghouri, Pete Wicks, and Sarah Hadland in the quarter final.
