Jamie Borthwick made an impassioned plea for Strictly Come Dancing to be “protected” during the final show of the Strictly Live Tour,
amid ongoing controversies that have rocked the beloved BBC series.
The EastEnders star, 30, took a stand on stage at London’s O2 Arena on the last night of the tour, emphasizing the show’s impact and the importance of preserving its legacy.
Jamie Borthwick’s On-Stage Plea
As the tour came to a close, Jamie took a moment to address the audience, praising the show and those involved.
Speaking to the packed arena, he declared: “Strictly is such a fantastic show. The people on this show are amazing.
And I think we all agree, as Strictly fans, that it should be protected and looked after because we love it and it brings so much entertainment to people.”
His heartfelt statement was met with applause from judges Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke. However, Craig Revel Horwood notably refrained from clapping, maintaining his usual critical stance.
Jamie continued by expressing his gratitude for his experience on the tour and for his professional dance partner, Michelle Tsiakkas. “I’ve honestly had the most amazing experience with every single person, including my lovely new sister Michelle. She’s absolutely fantastic. And I just want to thank every single person for all their support all through the show. It’s been brilliant. Thank you so much.”
Jamie Borthwick Wins the Tour’s Glitterball Trophy
Jamie ended his Strictly journey on a high note, securing the coveted glitterball trophy on the final night of the Strictly Live Tour. His victory came as a surprise to some, as Love Island star Tasha Ghouri—who had previously won the most tour performances alongside Miranda actress Sarah Hadland—looked visibly shocked to miss out on the award.
Although Strictly Come Dancing 2024 champion Chris McCausland did not participate in the live tour, he sent a special video message to fans, apologizing for his absence.
Wynne Evans Controversy Looms Over the Tour
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, the Strictly Live Tour was overshadowed by the ongoing fallout from Wynne Evans’ controversial exit. The Go Compare opera singer, 53, was removed from the tour after making an inappropriate joke involving host Janette Manrara during the press launch.
Reports suggest that during the event, Evans made a lewd remark about a threesome while standing beside Janette and fellow contestant Jamie Borthwick. The comment sparked immediate backlash, and he was swiftly axed from the tour.
Wynne later issued an apology, acknowledging that his “language was inappropriate and unacceptable,” but the damage was done. He was subsequently taken off air from his BBC Radio Wales show, with Robin Windsor stepping in as his replacement.
Now, the Welsh singer is reportedly seeking legal action, consulting with lawyers over a potential lawsuit against the BBC for breach of contract and loss of earnings. Sources close to Evans claim he believes his removal was a knee-jerk reaction to public scrutiny rather than a fair disciplinary decision.
A Year of Scandals for Strictly Come Dancing
The controversy surrounding Wynne Evans is just one of several scandals to have hit Strictly Come Dancing in what has been described as one of the most tumultuous years in the show’s history.
Two of the series’ most prominent professional dancers, Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, were both axed from Strictly following allegations of inappropriate behavior. Contestants Zara McDermott and Amanda Abbington accused them of causing distress during their training sessions, leading to widespread speculation about toxic environments behind the scenes.
Additionally, Evans found himself embroiled in further controversy when footage emerged of his Strictly dance partner, Katya Jones, physically removing his hand from her waist during a live performance. While they later brushed off the moment as a “silly joke,” it only added to the string of negative headlines surrounding the show.
What’s Next for Strictly?
Despite the challenges, Strictly Come Dancing remains one of the most beloved reality shows on British television. Jamie Borthwick’s passionate speech reflected the sentiment shared by many devoted fans who believe the show’s legacy must be protected.
With the BBC yet to officially comment on Wynne Evans’ potential legal action and rumors of further changes ahead for the show, the future of Strictly Come Dancing is facing more scrutiny than ever. However, as the live tour proved, the love for the show among its audience remains strong, and its ability to entertain and inspire is still at the heart of its success.
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