EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick fearing Strictly Come Dancing for one reason - and it isn't dancing

Actor Jamie Borthwick has expressed his fondness for his "pale look" as he discusses his apprehension about appearing on Strictly Come Dancing.

The 30-year-old EastEnders actor is preparing to compete in this year's edition of the popular BBC dance contest. Having already clinched victory in the 2023 Strictly Christmas special, Jamie is eager to achieve similar success in the main series, though he acknowledges it brings "a lot of pressure" to his upcoming performances, reports the Mirror.

Jamie has even been seen rehearsing his dance routines on the set of the soap EastEnders. Despite this, he has shared his trepidation about performing live across the nation, hoping that everyone will "have a laugh whatever happens".

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He has received tips from other soap actors about what to expect, but there's one aspect he's not ready to embrace.

"Not the spray tans, no. I like my pale look," he confided to Whattowatch. "But as far as everything else goes, all the costumes, I'm really looking forward to it."

Reflecting on joining this year's competition, Jamie previously remarked: "This is a fresh challenge and it will be so different to be learning a new dance every week and for the public to have their say."

"I'm hoping to be Salsa-ing around Albert Square in no time and I'll be asking my Walford Strictly alumni for some words of wisdom", he said.

"See you on the dancefloor", the soap star added. Last year, he wowed judges and audiences alike with a perfect score of 40 out of 40 during the Christmas special, where he was partnered with Nancy Xu.

"I had a ball doing the 'Strictly' Christmas special last year, so when I was asked to join for this series it was the easiest yes. This is a fresh challenge and it will be so different to be learning a new dance every week and for the public to have their say."