BBC Strictly star Jamie Borthwick addresses 'undermarked' exit and shares show first

BBC Strictly Come Dancing partners, Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas, have shared their thoughts after exiting the show at the weekend. The pair were interviewed on It Takes Two following their departure on Sunday night (November 24).

During the results show over the weekend, EastEnders actor Jamie, 30, and professional dancer Michelle, 29, found themselves in the dreaded dance-off against Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe, where the latter duo were unanimously saved by the judges.

And it turns out that it was Michelle's first ever dance off. Presenter Fleur East said: "It was the first time though that you faced the dreaded dance-off and your face said it all... talk us through the thoughts running through your mind at this moment."

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Jamie replied: "Oh well it's part of the Strictly experience, being top of the leader board, bottom of the leader board, dance-off, it was like we get to dance it again, let's go!"

Michelle then added: "I've never been in a dance-off either so for me it was an experience as well that I wanted to go through. We did it, we enjoyed it, we've got the whole package now!"

Later in the show, Fleur addressed viewers claiming that the duo were undermarked during their time on the competition, The Mirror reports. "Despite the nine from Anton [Du Beke], viewers believe you were really undermarked not just on the weekend but during the whole competition, they had a lot to say," she said.

One fan had said: "The judges are too harsh on Jamie that was genuinely amazing, I don't know why that didn't reflect in the scores" while a different viewer put "he has not been given fair markings compared to the others."

Michelle responded: "You know what, I think when we peaked with our Paso [Doble], they were expecting technical perfection with each dance which I understand as the Paso was such a big moment.

"But it is difficult to achieve, especially with your busy schedule and everything. We did our best, you did your best and one thing I know, and I can say for sure, is that we genuinely and thoroughly enjoyed every single moment. Every single moment and that's what it's about. Even when the pressures were high and we were stressed, we still enjoyed it."

Brumwish 2024 - buy a gift for a child in need

BrumWish 2024 is Birmingham Live's festive drive to get thousands of gifts to children and young people across our city - among them the homeless, the vulnerable, kids in care, kids who are poorly or struggling, and kids who have little.

There are THREE simple ways to help.

1. Buy a new gift from the Brumwish 2024 Amazon giftlist. In just a click your donation will be whizzing its way to our volunteers at Edgbaston Stadium.
2. Donate money to the appeal fund hosted by Thrive Together Birmingham - this will help pay for gifts for kids with specialist needs or specific wishes.
3. Buy a gift and, even better, rope in friends, neighbours and workmates to do the same, then drop off your pressies at Edgbaston Stadium, Edgbaston Road, B5 7QU on Friday 6th December, 10am - 3pm; Saturday 7th December, 10am - 1pm; or Monday 9th December, 10am - 1pm. Volunteers will be there to help you. Please don't wrap your gifts. You can also drop off by arrangement until Monday 16th December - contact Louise on 07469 979286.

Thanks to our partnership with #Toys4Birmingham, every single gift will find a good home in the loving care of a child living in B&Bs or hotels, hostels or refuges, children receiving support from specialist organisations and charities, and families being supported by children's centres and charities around the city.

Making up the Brumwish and Toys4Birmingham gang are Thrive Together Birmingham, Birmingham Playcare Network, Warwickshire Cricket Foundation (the charitable arm of Warwickshire County Cricket Club), Birmingham Forward Steps and BirminghamLive/Birmingham Mail.

Thank you to Amazon UK and the amazing team at the Sutton Coldfield depot for their support.