STRICTLY COME DANCING CHRISTMAS DAY, 4.40PM, BBC1 ENTERTAINMENT
Fans of EastEnders will know there hasn’t been much for poor Jay Brown to smile about over the past year. But now actor Jamie Borthwick is taking a brief break from his heavy storylines in the soap to trip the light fantastic in this year’s seasonal special of BBC1’s sequinned spectacular Strictly Come Dancing.
Speaking to TV Times during training, Jamie, who is one of six celebrities taking to the floor (see our guide, right), is full of the spirit of the season and is looking forward to performing a festive-themed quickstep with his professional partner, Latin specialist Nancy Xu.
Here, in an exclusive interview, Jamie, 29, and Nancy, 32, tell us what we can expect from their routine…
What made you sign up for Strictly this Christmas, Jamie?
JAMIE About a week before they asked me, a friend inspired me to make a pledge to stop saying no to things. I thought it was a good idea because I say no to everything – and then this came along, and it was the perfect time to put that into practice.
Also, I love Christmas, and what could be more festive than being part of the Strictly Christmas special? So it was a no-brainer in the end, and it’s really nice to do a job that doesn’t involve crying every day and filming on hospital sets, like I have been on EastEnders recently; it’s all about the Christmas spirit instead!
Are you much of a dancer?
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
TOO CLOSE for comfort
Cindy frets when wounded Junior plays games
CONFESSION time
Denise tells the Brannings that daughter Chelsea caused the crush at Peggy’s
Joel MURDERED!
But which of the villain's many haters is to blame?
Love HURTS
Sam's injured when he tries to reunite Nick and Leanne
Girl BOSS!
FELICITY WARD introduces us to the female version of David Brent.
ECHOES of the past
ELEN RHYS on swapping solving crimes in Spain for a murder mystery in her native Wales
True DETECTIVES
We celebrate the crime-crackers who will be unravelling mysteries over the coming months...
Double TROUBLE
MICHAEL MCINTYRE on how fresh twists and star power will make this the best series of The Wheel yet
Time to say GOODBYE...
As Emmerdale legend Zak Dingle passes away, actor LISA RILEY pays tribute to her beloved co-star, the late Steve Halliwell
Power & PASSION!
What to expect from a lavish reworking of Dame Jilly Cooper’s steamy saga, set in the cut-throat world of TV