Jamie Borthwick comforts BBC Strictly partner as she breaks down in tears over exit: ‘So emotional’
Strictly Come Dancing star Jamie Borthwick leapt to comfort his partner Michelle Tsiakkas after she broke down in tears looking back at their time on the show.
On Saturday night, the couple performed the Foxtrot to Stand By Me by Ben E. King and was given a score of 34 out of a possible 40.
However, the couple were left to face Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe in the dreaded dance-off – with all four judges deciding to save the Gladiator.
Speaking to Tess Daly about his time on the show, Borthwick said: “Strictly is magic. That is all I can say. Strictly is magic.
“Not just everyone who you see in front of the camera, these four here [the judges], but everyone who works on this show.
“I could ramble on all day about this one [Michelle]. She’s a new pro and she’s absolutely been the most amazing teacher.
“We have laughed like you wouldn’t believe. I have nothing but the utmost respect for everyone on the show, so thank you.”
Tonight, the couple joined It Takes Two host Fleur East to look back on their journey, leaving Tsiakkas to break down in tears.
Welcoming them to the show, East said: “Oh, commiserations to both of you, but tonight, to quote you, Jamie, it is all about the magic of Strictly and you went out on such a classy routine.
“You can leave with your head held high, how did it feel performing the Foxtrot twice?” leaving Borthwick to reply: “D’you know what, I actually loved it.
“I really love that dance, I felt elegant doing it, being in the costume, I love the whole style of it. It’s part of the Strictly experience being top of the leaderboard, being bottom of the leaderboard, dance off, so it was just like we get to dance it again.”
East touched on the ongoing comment from viewers that they thought the pair had been undermarked throughout the competition, with Tsiakkas adding: “When we peaked with our Paso, they were expecting technical perfection with each dance which I understand.
“But it is difficult to achieve especially with your busy schedule and we did our best, you did our best and we genuinely enjoyed every single moment.”
As their conversation drew to a close, the pair looked back over their time in the competition, with Tsiakkas noting: “Jamie is quite the dream student really.
“I waited two years for a partner and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.”
Cutting back to the studio, Tsiakkas was wiping away her tears leaving Borthwick to embrace her and quip: “Oh that’s nice isn’t it!”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Chris McCausland ‘really proud’ of BBC Strictly Samba-thon despite ‘discriminatory’ backlashDavid Walliams admits ‘I’m probably non-binary’ as he opens up on sexualitySir Michael Caine, 91, wades into General Election petition row as he joins calls for action
As East went on to congratulate Borthwick, she was also struggling to contain her emotions, leaving the EastEnders actor to ask: “Are you crying as well?”
East hit back: “Yeah you have got me emotional watching it back!”