Strictly Come Dancing star Jamie Borthwick and his professional partner Michelle Tsiakkas performed the Quickstep to I’m Still Standing from Rocketman on Saturday night and left the judges blown away.
The pressure was on for Borthwick over the weekend as he previously performed a Quickstep with Nancy Xu during the Christmas special which led him to lift the Glitterball trophy.
When he was first announced to be joining the 2024 line-up, long-term fans of the show took issue with his signing as he had already won the special episode just last year.
His Quickstep on Saturday scored him a total of 30 out of a possible 40 – 10 marks less than his previous attempt at the dance.
However, the judges were delighted with the show and even went as far as to say that he could go all the way and lift the trophy once again.
Anton Du Beke praised: “You know you really are a super super dancer. I think you could be one of the favourites to lift the trophy to be quite honest with you. I think you are an exceptional talent.”
The pair performed the Quickstep to I’m Still Standing from Rocketman
BBC
Motsi Mabuse agreed and added: “Yes, Anton, I think the Glitterball is quite close to you!”
Noting the comments from the judges, host Tess Daly exclaimed: “Thank you, judges. Two out of four mentioned the Glitterball… that’s big news!”
Trying to be modest about the comments, Borthwick remarked there was a long way to go before even being considered to be in with a chance, let alone lifting it.
He told Claudia Winkleman: “It’s a bit too early to be mentioning the Glitterball, but nonetheless, I appreciate everything they say.”
The couple were crowned the Christmas special champions for their Quickstep
BBC
The comments from Du Beke and Mabuse left the viewers uneasy and claiming that he already had been given the “unfair advantage”.
One penned on social media: “The judges mentioning the glitterball after Jamie’s quickstep, the dance that won him the Christmas special last year. If that’s not a coincidence I don’t know what is.”
Another commented: “Nah I can’t see Jamie lifting the glitterball. A lot of incredible dancers this year. Don’t even think he’ll reach the final.”
A third said: “Telling poor Jamie he’s going to win the glitter ball when we all know it’s being rigged for Chris is a choice…”
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Last week the pair performed the Rumba to Ain’t No Sunshine by Bill Withers
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“Don’t tell Jamie that his Ego’s big enough as it is,” another slammed before a fifth noted: “Jamie’s dances are just not landing, and I don’t know why. He has so much potential.”
A sixth wrote: “I feel for Jamie, I enjoyed his dance but I feel he was never going to be able to top the dance before him and was overshadowed.”
One viewer however was in agreement with the judges and questioned: “The magnetic on his feet Jamie Borthwick gets even better with each new dance. Dark horse for The Glitterball Trophy?” (sic)