Emmerdale’s Daisy Campbell is leaving the Dales after 13 years – as show bosses have called time on her character, in a shock move that left her “grieving”.
After nearly two decades on EastEnders, Jamie Borthwick feels as at home in Walford as he does in front of the mirror. However, he’s facing new challenges on the Strictly Come Dancing dancefloor, and so far, he’s stepping up to the challenge. “It’s going really well. It’s hard work, but it’s good,” the 30-year-old actor shared during an exclusive chat at the Pride Of Britain Awards with OK!.
Joined by his dance partner, Michelle Tsiakkas, it’s clear that Jamie has formed a strong bond with her. The two share laughs, and Jamie, who has recently discussed his struggles with health anxiety, playfully teases Michelle. “Yeah, he’s doing really well. He’s a good learner, my partner. Sometimes I need to get him off of his bum, but he’s good!” Michelle chuckles. In response, Jamie jokingly exclaims, “Oh! Normally, she says, ‘Oh, he’s amazing,’ but today I’m just good—this is what it’s really like!” To which Michelle adds mischievously, “Sometimes he wants to take a nap when he shouldn’t!”
The duo continues their playful banter about their training sessions, with Jamie throwing in some cheeky remarks about Michelle’s teaching methods. “She doesn’t let me ask any questions!” he claims, before quickly clarifying, “Nah, I’m messing. Michelle is amazing—we are working really hard together.” Jamie admits, “Rehearsals have been tiring for me. I’ve gone from 0 to 100. I can’t say I usually dance for eight hours a day! So, it does take a natural toll on your body. But I’m enjoying it. Surprisingly, I quite like the muscle aches now.” Michelle quips, “I told you that you’d come to like the aches!” and Jamie agrees, “You did. I think it’s the feeling of your body getting stronger. I like it.”
Jamie is no stranger to Strictly, having competed in last December’s Christmas special alongside Nancy Xu, where he emerged victorious. This season, some contestants like reality star Tasha Ghouri, who has formal dance training, have faced scrutiny for their past experience. Jamie compares dance skills on the show to “snakes and ladders,” saying, “I went to Sylvia Young Theatre School where we took dance classes, but certainly not Latin and ballroom. My first Latin and ballroom experience was at the Strictly Christmas show in December, which was just two weeks of one routine. So, I wouldn’t say I have dance experience by any means.”
He continues, “Strictly is like snakes and ladders; you go up a ladder in the week and then down a snake afterward because on Monday, you’re back to zero again with a brand new dance that you’ve never done before. Everyone on the show is just brilliant—there are some really great dancers, so it’s a tough year, really tough.”
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