The Strictly Come Dancing ballroom is transformed into EastEnders’ Queen Victoria pub as Jamie Borthwick lifts the glitter ball in the Christmas special
The Strictly ballroom was transformed into the iconic Queen Vic pub as EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick picked up the festive glitter ball in the show’s Christmas special.
The EastEnders actor, 29, took to the stage with professional Nancy Xu and the dance floor was fittingly transformed into a traditional pub.
Nancy started the routine behind the bar at the Queen Vic as she washed glasses, before joining Jamie to dance the Quickstep.
The festive soap-themed decor was in preparation for the highly anticipated EastEnders Christmas special, which will finally see the ‘whodunnit’ storyline revealed.
Jamie and Nancy beat former rugby player Danny Cipriani, BBC Breakfast presenter Sally Nugent, historian Dan Snow, singer Keisha Buchanan and actress Tillie Amartey for the highly anticipated festive episode.
The Strictly ballroom was transformed into the iconic Queen Vic pub as EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick picked up the festive glitter ball in the show’s Christmas special
The EastEnders actor, 29, took to the stage with professional Nancy Xu and the dance floor was suitably transformed into the traditional pub
Jamie won a perfect 40 out of 40 for his Quickstep to Merry Christmas Everyone by Shakin Stevens.
And during his routine, he wowed the audience with a handstand and wowed the judges with his perfect frame.
Judges Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas gave the performance a standing ovation, cheering and shouting for the duo.
Craig Revel Horwood said: ‘Jamie, you killed me, honey. Awesome.’
A beaming Jamie, who plays Jay Brown in the BBC One soap, said: “I’ve always wanted to hear him say that.”
Shirley said, “I don’t have a paddle high enough for you. You were simply brilliant’, while Anton Du Beke looked at his fellow judges and asked: ‘The frame, did you see that frame? Listen, you were absolutely amazing.”
Motsi said: ‘Yes, the surprise of the evening. I loved it, that was the perfect ending. That was just the moment when we said: let’s party on. Well done.’
Jamie appeared to wipe tears from his cheeks as the panel showered him with compliments.
Even host Tess Daley was nervous as she said, “I mean, this is overwhelming, I can’t wait to see your scores.”
Jamie won a perfect 40 out of 40 for his Quickstep to Merry Christmas Everyone by Shakin Stevens
The festive soap-themed decor was a precursor to the highly anticipated EastEnders Christmas special, which sees the ‘whodunnit’ storyline finally revealed
Jamie and Nancy beat Danny Cipriani, Sally Nugent, Dan Snow, Keisha Buchanan and Tillie Amartey to lift the glitter ball in the highly anticipated festive episode
The other competitors chanted Jamie’s name as the pair joined Claudia Winkleman to debrief and receive their scores.
Jamie said: ‘Very nice evening tonight. To be here with all these amazing people, these professionals and the people I’ve shared this show with, it’s honestly a real thrill and I’ve loved every minute of it.”
He gestured to Nancy and added, “Not to mention this one, she’s absolutely amazing and they’re lucky to have her here.”
To demonstrate the impression of her EastEnders that Jamie had taught her, Nancy shouted a big ‘get out of my pub!’.
The winner was determined by a combination of the judges’ scores and votes from the studio audience.
Although the results of the show, which was pre-recorded on December 5, were supposed to remain secret, the Strictly mole struck and the winner was leaked online earlier this month.