Strictly pro defends shamed former star and insists they're still 'really close'

Strictly Come Dancing pro Michelle Tsiakkas has spoken out in defence of shamed former dance partner Jamie Borthwick.

EastEnders star Jamie faced controversy following his stint on the hit dance competition as he was suspended by the BBC after making an ableist slur. Michelle, 29, finished seventh on Strictly with Jamie last year, and has now confirmed that they have remained “really close” after working together on the show.

Michelle has confirmed that the pair are still in regular contact - and even went as far as to refer to Jamie, 31, as being like a "brother" to her. She said, “Whatever you saw on screen of our relationships together is what our relationship is like. We’re like brother and sister, we’re really close. He still actually messages me saying that he misses it."

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Speaking to The Sun on Sunday she appeared to confirm the pair have even met up as she continued, “I saw him the other day, he remembered all of his routines, he was doing them again. I was actually so surprised.”

Speaking at the National Reality TV Awards, Michelle added, “For me, that counts more than any trophy because I feel like I had a positive impact on your life and changed it for the better - in terms of him finding this new found love for dancing. He’s honestly so passionate about dancing. I can’t believe it. He is trying to dance with everybody and do his routines with everyone.”

When quizzed about whether she and Jamie speak via a Strictly WhatsApp group, she confirmed that most of their chats are private saying, “We mostly talk just me and him so that is really nice that we still have a good relationship.”

Michelle then opened up about the pressure of starring on the high-profile BBC series and how "special" it is to be involved. She said, “The show is about joy and dancing. It always needs to come back to that because it is such a special show.

“It’s about having fun and not taking anything too personal and creating memories that last a lifetime, which they truly do.” Jamie famously faced a backlash and was suspended by the BBC in June after 19 years playing Albert Square fan favourite character Jay Brown on EastEnders when he was accused of using a slur targeted at disabled people while on the set of Strictly Come Dancing.

A video obtained by The Sun saw Jamie captured describing the residents of Blackpool, where the show was filming at the time, as "m********s." Co-star Wynne Evans was reportedly backstage with Borthwick at rehearsals and heard saying "Oh my God" when he made the comment.

Borthwick has since apologised for using the term and admitted that he had not fully understood the derogatory nature of what he said and is now "deeply embarrassed." The soap actor said in a statement, which read: “I want to apologise sincerely and wholeheartedly for the words I used in the video showing my reaction to making it through Blackpool week on Strictly.

“I am deeply sorry for any offence and upset my words and actions have caused. It is no excuse, but I did not fully understand the derogatory term I used and its meaning. That is on me completely.

“Now I am aware, I am deeply embarrassed to have used the term and directed it in the way I did. It was wrong." He went on to issue an apology to the people of Blackpool and reiterate his regret over his words. He has since reportedly been reinstated by BBC bosses after three months away from the iconic soap.

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