Strictly Come Dancing: Jamie Borthwick's mum captures audience mood with eye-roll at judges' comments

Strictly Come Dancing enthusiasts pointed out a 'perfect' moment in the audience during Saturday's memorable Blackpool special.

The BBC dance contest made its grand return to the renowned Blackpool Tower Ballroom as eight couples hit the dancefloor, all aiming to wow the judges and those watching at home.

EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick delivered a condiment-inspired jive to 'The Ketchup Song' by Las Ketchup alongside his professional dance partner Michelle Tsiakkas. The star made quite the entrance, descending onto the stage atop a colossal ketchup bottle and immediately launching into his routine, flanked by back-up dancers dressed as bottles of mustard and tomato sauce.

The routine elicited a mixed response from the judges, and scores were met with disappointment from viewers, who deemed them unduly harsh. Judge Motsi Mabuse was the first to offer her review.

She applauded Jamie for giving "absolutely everything" to the dance but highlighted: "Your standing leg, just a little bit, a tiny little bit, it didn't give you that vibration you need so you can absorb the music."

Head judge Shirley Ballas echoed Motsi's sentiments and expressed to Jamie that although it was an "entertaining and exciting performance" he experienced a "couple of hiccups" throughout the act. "You could have possibly overtried just a tad for me today," she said to the actor, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Anton lauded Jamie's performance, noting his evident enjoyment and advising him to "find the love in each dance". Craig, on the other hand, highlighted a few imperfections in Jamie's dancing before concluding with: "I loved loved loved watching you and I loved how jubilant you were throughout the whole dance."

During the scoring, Jamie and Michele received a nine from Anton and eights from the remaining judges, totalling 33 points.

Viewers at home felt the couple deserved a higher score and questioned why the judges had been so 'harsh' on them, while awarding the same scores to dancers they considered less skilled. However, it was Jamie's mum's reaction in the studio audience that amused fans.

After Motsi's feedback, the camera caught Jamie's mum seemingly rolling her eyes, indicating her dissatisfaction with the comments. Some viewers took to social media to highlight the reaction, with one suggesting it "captured the nation's thoughts".

Another remarked: "I wanted to roll my eyes at some of them comments tonight too!" A third person commented: "Loved seeing Jamie's mum rolling her eyes at him being over criticised again!" while another added: "Jamie's mum rolling her eyes at the judges...spot on!" "Jamie mum being a supportive queen rolling the eyes after Motsi comments," another comment read, while someone else stated: "The mum eyeroll was perfect!".

Some viewers have indicated Jamie may have been underscored throughout the competition and speculated about the judges' impartiality. "What is Shirley's issue with Jamie?" questioned one viewer.

"I think he's better than she gives him credit for. I mean she gave Pete an 8 and he's not nearly as good as Jamie."

A different viewer probed: "HOW is Shirley giving Jamie the same score as Wynne and Pete... were we watching the same dances?" Another chimed in: "It's so ridiculous that the judges comments are always so harsh for Jamie. They underscore him every week. It just doesn't make sense."

An additional comment noted: "What is actually wrong with the judges that they're so harsh on Jamie every week? ! That was so good and they've just trashed him!".

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