Jamie Borthwick breaks silence on BBC Strictly Come Dancing curse after 'chemistry with Michelle Tsiakkas'

Dispelling any rumours of romance and the dreaded Strictly curse, actor Jamie Borthwick says his partner Michelle Tsiakkas mothers him and he secretly idolises her boyfriend.

Fans saw the chemistry between EastEnder Jamie and the pro dancer on the launch show as they tested out cute nicknames for each other. But Jamie, who is single at the moment, insists they are so much like siblings that “nobody has to worry”.

He laughs: “The idea of that whole Strictly curse, well it’s definitely not going to be a thing here because it would be weird doing that with my sister. Michelle and I met before Strictly and we instantly had a connection. But she is like a sister, an aunt, a mum, a best friend. She’s looking after me, she’s mothering me.”

And Jamie, 30, who has played cheeky chappy Jay on the BBC One soap since he was 11, says he is in awe of Michelle’s real-life partner Simone Arena. He explains: “Her boyfriend doesn’t know it yet because we’ve never met, but he’s my rock already. I’ve been looking him up, watching him dance on his shows and I’m like, ‘Mate, you’re my icon’. He’s an absolutely fantastic dancer.”

Michelle, 29, adds: “He hasn’t met Jamie yet, but I think when they do, it’s going to be just this lovely relationship that we all have. Jamie and I are like brother and sister, we have established such a lovely connection so early, which is special.”

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Jamie and Michelle, who perform on their first live show tonight, are fewer than two weeks into training, but Jamie confesses it has taken its toll. He says: “Already it’s like Strictly’s won. It has broken me already and I’m only a few days in. But I’m trying to keep that secret, because I’m one of the youngest. I should be flying through it but actually, everyone else is smashing it and they’re all full of beans and I’m like, ‘Nah’. Although while I’m moaning I still love it. It’s not that I’m not enjoying it, it’s just the reality of it has hit me quick and hard.”

After winning last year’s Strictly Christmas Special with a perfect 40 score, Jamie is a favourite to win, which is heaping on the pressure. He says: “Everyone’s really making that known but this is a totally different ballgame. Compared to this, Christmas was an absolute doddle. Me and Nancy (Xu) were there for two weeks to learn one dance. It was brilliant but it was so easy peasy. And the Christmas show is a little bit more light hearted than the main show.”

“I only scored a 40 because it was Christmas. I’m being real, it’s just my view on this whole ‘Jamie’s done the Christmas show so he’s got an advantage’. Everything I learnt at Christmas I’ve completely forgotten. And the reality of doing the main show has hit me like a ton of bricks. I’m going to bed counting steps, it’s always on my brain.”

Michelle says: “It’s the initial shock to the body, which I think all the celebrities will experience, where you’re moving your body in a way that it’s not used to.”

What perhaps isn’t helping though is that Jamie admits he is inherently lazy and loves fast food. “I don’t eat well,” he says. “I love my McDonald’s, Nando’s, pizza. Then I’ll think, right I’ve got to have some sea bass and spinach now. I’m really fussy. I don’t like wet foods. So I don’t have gravy on my roast, I don’t have milk on my cereal. I don’t like sauces, I don’t like soups, I don’t like stews. Michelle’s allowed me to order Nando’s every day. But I’m lazy, you need to nudge me. I’m one of those people, if I can get a little second to skive away I will. And Michelle knows that, she’s got to keep an eye on me.”

Jamie feels comfortable with tonight’s routine, but of course there are niggling fears. He says: “I’m sure the nerves will be flying around, but every couple is in their own little bubble, backing each other. My obvious worry would be that I fall over or something. A tiny bit of me is hoping that happens as then it’s out the way. My biggest fear would be done. I’m sure there will be mistakes, but Michelle and I just want to have a laugh, enjoy the buzz of live telly and doing something a little dangerous.”

The dynamic duo are not the only partnership thoroughly enjoying their first steps together. Love Island star Tasha Ghouri has hit it off with Aljaz Skorjanec, as has singer Toyah Willcox with Neil Jones and Olympic swimming star Tom Dean with Nadiya Bychkova, if their social media snaps are anything to go by.

And for Jamie, one thing is vital. “As long as we’re enjoying it and having fun, it kind of doesn’t matter. I’m not sure about the tanning, I quite like my pale, gaunt look. But the costumes? Yeah, let’s have it all.”

• Strictly Come Dancing’s first live show is tonight at 7pm on BBC One.

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