The latest series of Strictly came to an end when Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola were crowned the winners of Strictly 2023, but fans needn’t worry as there will be another instalment of the BBC One show before the year ends.
That’s right, the Strictly Christmas special is set to air on Christmas Day and, frankly, it’s become as much of a tradition for us as a turkey dinner and the King’s Speech.
Among the names taking part this year are rugby player Danny Cipriani, Sugababes singer Keisha Buchanan and EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick.
Jamie, who plays Jay Brown, is the latest actor from the BBC soap to take part in Strictly, following in the footsteps of Natalie Cassidy, Maisie Smith and, of course, Bobby Brazier, who made it to this year’s final.
Ahead of the Christmas special, Jamie has revealed the words of wisdom that Bobby shared with him about the Strictly experience. He told What to Watch, “He said the same as everyone else. Which is that Strictly is an amazing experience, the people are wonderful and I should just enjoy it.”
Jamie added that his co-star “absolutely smashed it” on the show.
Bobby isn’t the only one who’s given Jamie some advice either as Emma Barton, who plays Honey Mitchell, also shared some tips following her 2019 stint in the competition.
Jamie said Emma told him, “Just you wait until it’s time for a spray tan!”
“I told her I didn’t want one,” he revealed, “But once you enter the Strictly bubble you think, ‘Why not?!'”
Jamie also recently opened up about training with dance partner Nancy Xu. He said, “I think I am quite a quick learner, remembering the steps I find relatively simple, but mastering them is a whole other level. And we’ve had such a laugh, but when it’s time for us to work we do what we need to do.
“But it’s so important we have a laugh. I’ve tried to absorb as much as I can while we’re together. The couples dancing, and rehearsing with all of the others really has been such a thrill.”
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Christmas Day.