Strictly star accused of ‘cheating’ by fellow celeb on launch show – but fans point out ‘elephant in the room’
A STRICTLY star has been accused of ‘cheating’ by a fellow celeb on the launch show – but fans point out an ‘elephant in the room’.
The BBC dancing series was back with a bang on Saturday night with 15 new celebrities ready to take to the dancefloor.
But for one star – EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick – it isn’t his first time on the show, having taken part in the Christmas Special last year.
And Jamie’s new co-stars won’t let him forget it, with many of them taking digs at him throughout the launch show.
When host Claudia Winkleman turned to Jamie to talk to him at one point, Wynne Evans called out “cheat!”
Moments later, Claudia spoke to Pete Wicks about his decision to take part on the show, and if he was going to fully embrace the process and the bright, glittery costumes.
Pete said he was, as “you’re only here once” before adding with perfect timing: “Unless you’re Jamie”.
But as everyone laughed, Strictly viewers were quick to take to X about the jibes, and point out Jamie isn’t the only 2024 star who has been on the show before.
One wrote: “Me and my mum are dying of laughter when Wynne saying “cheat” when Jamie was talking.”
Another added: “Everyone’s going on about Jamie doing the Christmas special last year but JB also did it in 2012.”
A third commented: “So two of the celebrities this year have already won the Christmas special are we running out of celebs now.”
A fourth also pointed out that everyone seems to be forgetting JB did the Christmas Special in 2012 with former pro Ola Jordan.
They wrote: “is nobody going to address the Christmas JB shaped elephant in the room #Strictly.”
In fact, JB also won the festive glitterball trophy during the 2012 Christmas Special after dancing a Jive.
Meanwhile, fans were in tears after Amy Dowden returned to the dancefloor for a special routine following her battle with cancer.
And Strictly fans are convinced Amy is going to win this year, after being paired with JB.
EastEnders stars who've been on Strictly Come Dancing
Throughout its 20-year history, Strictly Come Dancing has welcomed several stars from BBC soap EastEnders. Here's a look at how some of them did over the years.
- Christopher Parker (Series One): Christopher played Alfie Moon’s (Shane Richie) younger brother Spencer from 2002 to 2005. finished as runner-up in Strictly’s first series.
- Jill Halfpenny (Series Two): Jill starred as Kate Mitchell in EastEnders from 2002 to 2005. She triumphed over Denise Lewis and Julian Clary to win the second series of Strictly.
- Louisa Lytton (Series Four): Known for her role as EastEnders’ Ruby Allen, Louisa took part in Strictly’s fourth series. She finished in fourth place.
- Letitia Dean (Series Five): Letitia, who debuted as Sharon Watts in the show’s first episode, took to the Strictly dance floor in series five. She finished in fourth place.
- Matt Di Angelo (Series Five): Dean Wicks actor Matt also competed in series five of Strictly, finishing as runner-up behind Alesha Dixon.
- Gillian Taylforth (Series 6): Gillian, known for her long-running portrayal as Kathy Beale, took part in series 6. She ended up being the second person voted out.
- Jessie Wallace (Series 6): Kat Slater actress Jessie also competed in series 6, but was fourth voted out.
- Scott Maslen (Series 8): Scott, who plays Jack Branning, reached a respectable fourth place on Strictly.
- Kara Tointon (Series 8): Kara, who played Dawn Swann, won Strictly series 8 back in 2010.
- Jake Wood (Series 12): While his EastEnders character Max Branning was unlucky-in-love, actor Jake fared better with a fifth-place finish on Strictly.
- Kellie Bright (Series 13): Kellie – aka Queen Vic landlady Linda Carter – finished as the runner-up of series 13.
- Emma Barton (Series 17): Known for playing Honey Mitchell, Emma reached third place on Strictly in 2019.
- Maisie Smith (Series 18): Formerly playing Tiffany Butcher-Baker, actress Maisie was 2020’s second-place Strictly finalist.
- Rose-Ayling Ellis (Series 19): Rose won over viewers’ hearts when she soared to victory in 2021.
- Bobby Brazier (Series 21): Having joined the cast as ‘Freddie Slater’ in 2022, Bobby joined the 2023 Strictly line-up. He finished in third place.
- Jamie Borthwick (Series 22): Jamie, aka Jay Brown, won the 2023 Strictly Christmas Special – and has been signed up for the next full series.