Strictly 2024 star branded ‘cheat’ by rival as signing divides viewers

In a jarring moment, one Strictly Come Dancing star was declared a ‘cheat’ by a fellow celebrity contestant as the 2024 series got off to a dazzling start.

EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick’s casting has divided fans of the BBC dance show given that he lifted the glitterball trophy last December in the Christmas special.

Paired with Nancy Xu at the time, the soap favourite, 30, impressed the judges with his quickstepping abilities, so much so that he’s decided to give it another go.

Wynne Evans had something to say about this, however.

As Tess Daly introduced Jamie, she began: ‘You had a taste of Strictly at Christmas…’

Before she could finish her question, though, Go Compare opera vocalist Wynne coughed: ‘Cheat!’

The rest of the line-up gasped while Claudia Winkleman covered her mouth in shock, comedian Chris McCausland quipping: ‘This man’s a hero!’

Brushing off the brutal dig, Jamie said he wanted to sign up for the full series because he ‘had such a fantastic experience’ and ‘it was a bit of a no-brainer’.

But the jokes didn’t stop there, as Towie’s Pete Wicks also decided to go for the jugular.

Co-host Claudia asked the famously deadpan, sarcastic TV personality: ‘Are you throwing yourself into this?’

Podcaster Pete, 35, replied: ‘I’m in for a penny, in for a pound Pete.

‘I’m never gonna be here again, am I? Unless I’m Jamie.’

Pete’s co-stars applauded the gag while Claudia laughed, ‘That is brilliant!’, before Pete blew a kiss to Jamie to show it’s all love.

The celebs aren’t the only ones cracking jokes, as some viewers were rather curt when expressing their feelings about Jamie’s signing.

Taking to X, user fansvfavourites actually said Jamie should be ‘kicked off’ for his past experience.

Jamie has been paired with Michelle Tsiakkas this series, while his former pro Nancy dances with X Factor winner Shayne Ward.

Michelle, 29, joined the Strictly cast a few years back, but this is her first time with a celebrity partner, which she’s described as ‘a dream come true’.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Jamie – who has played Jay Brown since 2006 – said he hopes his years of drama will serve him well in the competition.

‘I’m used to drama so I’m really looking forward to it, it’s going to be a really good adventure,’ he said.

He also said the dance he’s most excited to do is the Argentine Tango because it’s ‘dramatic’.

Elsewhere in this year’s Strictly launch show, Amy Dowden returned to the dancefloor after a year out for breast cancer treatment. She’s paired with JLS pop star JB Gill.

Aljaž Škorjanec is also back after a brief Strictly hiatus, with his last appearance being in 2021, when he danced with Sara Davies.

He’s back to make up the numbers following the axe of Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, and is paired with Love Islander Tasha Ghouri.

With Strictly season well and truly underway once again, the celebs and their professionals are now hard at work in the training room, working long days to perfect their routines, which they’ll perform for the judges and millions of viewers at home next week.

No pressure…

The BBC declined to comment.

Strictly Come Dancing airs every Saturday and Sunday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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