'WHEN I LIFT THE STRICTLY TROPHY I WILL PROPOSE TO HABBS!'

HE'S BOUNCED BACK FROM INJURY FOR A SECOND SHOT AT STRICTLY. HERE, JAMIE LAING` TELLS OK!'S SARAH MORTON WHY GIRLFRIEND SOPHIE HABBOO NEEDN'T FEAR HIS DANCE PARTNER KAREN HAUER

- JAMIE LAING

Make no mistake about it, despite the fact he’s all smiles on the dance floor – and he’s positively grinning from ear to ear during our exclusive shoot – Strictly’s Jamie Laing has had one hell of a tough year. And that’s not even factoring in pandemic problems.

The likable Made In Chelsea star was left devastated last September when he was forced to quit Strictly before the live shows even began after he injured his foot during practice with his professional partner Oti Mabuse. Jamie could only sit on the sidelines and watch (presumably through gritted teeth) as his replacement, soap star Kelvin Fletcher, went on to win the hearts of the nation and, awkwardly, the Glitterball trophy.

Even though it led to a “very anxious time” for Jamie, there was always the hope he’d be given a second chance at ballroom glory, and over the weekend he took that chance and ran with it. As we went to press the boisterous blond and his lookalike new dance partner Karen Hauer were due to make their debut on the live shows, performing to the socially distanced judges, a limited studio audience, and millions watching at home. And for Jamie, 31, it’s been a long time coming.

“It was a rough time,” he tells us during a break in our shoot where he’s been posing up a storm for OK’s photographer. “But losing Strictly made me appreciate what true happiness is. I’m so grateful they asked me to return.”