Jamie Borthwick had nothing but good things to say about Strictly Come Dancing as he praised the show ahead of the start of the 20th anniversary series this weekend.
The EastEnders actor, 30, is due to take part in the latest line up after previously winning the Christmas special with partner Nancy Xu back in 2023.
And as the soap star prepares for the live shows he confirmed he is getting along with his new partner despite ‘aching in places he didn’t know he could’.
Speaking to MailOnline at the National Television Awards on Wednesday Jamie gushed that the show is ‘magic’ as he confessed: I’m really enjoying it so far. I‘m aching in places I didn’t know I could.
‘Strictly’s magic. It’s a magical show, and it brings a lot of happiness to people, and I’m just happy to be part of it.’
Jamie Borthwick has described the Strictly atmosphere as ‘magic’ as the show scooped a major prize at the National Television Awards on Wednesday night despite scandal (pictured with EastEnders co-star Tony Clay)
The EastEnders star gushed: ‘Strictly’s magic. It’s a magical show, and it brings a lot of happiness to people, and I’m just happy to be part of it’
It has been a year of scandal for the show with the results of the BBC’s internal investigation into allegations against Giovanni Pernice due any day now.
Commenting on the controversy, Jamie added: ‘I wasn’t there at that time. I can only speak from when I’ve been there and it’s been an absolutely fantastic place to be.
‘I did the Christmas show, and it was absolutely fantastic and it was that it was the environment that made me want to go back for the series.
‘So absolutely not a bad word at all.’
While Jamie may have won the Christmas special with his 40 point quickstep, he insisted his festive taster does not give him an advantage over the other contestants.
He joked: ‘It’s gonna be good when I go on and I’m not really great. Everyone will see that this whole advantage thing is not actually real. We’re all on a level playing field now.’
It was a night of celebrations for the show as it scooped the prize for Best Talent Show at the National Television Awards.
Amid fears for the show’s future over accusations of abuse aimed at professional dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, the BBC show beat out Britain’s Got Talent, The Great British Bake Off, MasterChef and The Voice to take one of the night’s big prizes.
His stint will mark a return to Strictly Come Dancing after he competed in the Christmas Special last year, being crowned champion alongside professional dancer Nancy Xu
Commenting on the controversy, Jamie added: ‘ I wasn’t there at that time. I can only speak from when I’ve been there and it’s been an absolutely fantastic place to be’ (pictured with this year’s celebrity line up)
Meanwhile professional dancer Neil Jones was also full of positivity for the show especially as he will have his own celebrity partner this year
The NTAs are voted for by the public, with the win for Strictly a clear sign that viewers are still rooting for the show as it prepares to return for its 20th series on Saturday night.
Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman were joined on stage by the show’s professional dancers and the creative team as they accepted the gong at London’s O2 Arena on Wednesday.
The presenting duo singled out the show’s ‘wonderful’ team as they gushed that the win ‘meant everything.’
Meanwhile professional dancer Neil Jones was also full of positivity for the show especially as he will have his own celebrity partner this year.
Speaking to MailOnline he said: ‘I just love everything about the show. I’m one of those that I love to support the other pros. I look at it as a I’m there for the whole show and to support them all.
‘I honestly say what I love about Strictly is 20 years now and every year there’s always changes happening and you ask yourself how can we get stronger?
‘And every year they get stronger and stronger and they they just have such a great support team. And so I just I love it.’
He added: ‘I’m always saying I’ll be back as long as you want me and as long as my body can hold.’
Speaking to MailOnline he said: ‘ I just love everything about the show. I’m one of those that I love to support the other pros. I look at it as a I’m there for the whole show and to support them all’ (pictured during the Christmas special in 2022 with Rosie Ramsey)
It was a night of celebrations for the show as it scooped the prize for Best Talent Show at the National Television Awards
The presenting duo singled out the show’s ‘wonderful’ team as they gushed that the win ‘meant everything’
The win comes amid claims that BBC bosses are full of ‘panic and worry’ regarding the publication of a report into Amanda Abbington and her former Strictly dance partner Giovanni Pernice.
The actress has accused the dancer of bullying, which he denies. But the Mail can reveal that there are concerns at the Corporation about how the two parties will react when the results of the investigation are revealed.
There have been high-level meetings among bosses as they navigate how to deliver their findings as they fear the looming possibility of legal action from either Ms Abbington, 52, or Mr Pernice if either is disappointed by the outcome.
One source told the Mail: ‘This is an absolute mess and the BBC don’t know what to do for the best.
‘There is a lot of panic and worry that whoever it does go in favour of will really go for the BBC, so every single word of whatever is released doesn’t give anyone the chance to complain.
‘They literally don’t know what to do so it is being delayed and delayed. [Director-General] Tim Davie is a good guy but this is impossible to navigate.’
Giovanni has been at the centre of the BBC probe being conducted over claims of off-camera misconduct made by his partner Amanda, 50, and two other former celebrity dance partners.
He has vehemently denied the allegations.
The investigation is due to be published in the coming days, and BBC staff have reportedly had their emails, texts and WhatsApps examined as part of the bullying probe.
Members of the crew have had their phones searched for references to Giovanni or Amanda in a bid to gather evidence.
The Mirror has revealed the subject access request is understood to have been made to the BBC by Amanda’s team, to provide any personal data or information that might shed light on her and Giovanni’s relationship.
A source told the publication: ‘People complied with it in the hope that it shoots down any claims of a cover-up.’
The win comes amid claims that BBC bosses are full of ‘panic and worry’ regarding the publication of a report into Amanda Abbington and her former Strictly dance partner Giovanni Pernice
Confirming his departure on Instagram, Graziano wrote: ‘I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly. My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime.
‘While respecting the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it’s only right for the sake of the show that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn’t allowed to offer a quote to the online news stories, and I take on board the sensitivity of the situation.
‘There’s more to this story that I am unable to discuss at this time, but I am committed to being strong for my family and friends. I wish the Strictly family nothing but success in the future.’
Fellow dancer Graziano Di Prima has since been sacked by the show following similar claims of inappropriate behaviour towards TV personality Zara McDermott, with whom he was paired in 2023.
