Strictly Come Dancing is caught in a fresh controversy after judges declared a contestant a frontrunner to win just three weeks into the competition.
Jamie Borthwick, who plays Jay Brown in EastEnders, dazzled the audience on Saturday with his Quickstep alongside pro partner Michelle Tsiakkas.
Dressed as Elton John, complete with a feather boa and glittering glasses, the 30-year-old scored an impressive 30 points.
However, viewers quickly voiced their frustration online over the judge's comments following Jamie’s history on the show.
Some viewers even argued that it was "unfair" for the actor to repeat the Quickstep after winning the Strictly Christmas Special in 2023 with the same routine.
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Nonetheless, the judges praised Jamie on his performance, with Judge Anton Du Beke saying:“You really are a super super dancer!”
“I think you could be one of the favourites to lift the trophy, to be quite honest with you. I think you are an exceptional talent.”
Motsi Mabuse added, “Yes, Anton, I think the Glitterball is quite close to you!”
Host Tess Daly highlighted the judges' comments, saying, “Thank you, judges! Two out of four mentioned the Glitterball... that's big news!”
Meanwhile, Jamie humbly said he had a long journey ahead to reach the final: “It’s a bit too early to be mentioning the Glitterball, but nonetheless, I appreciate everything they say.”
However, viewers were less than pleased with what the judges had to say. On X, one person fumed: “too early for glitterball talk. Shish judges.”
A second person agreed saying: “Nah I can't see Jamie lifting the glitterball. A lot of incredible dancers this year. Don't even think he'll reach the final.”
A third person echoed: “It's only Week 3 and the judges already think Jamie is going to win; telling poor jamie he’s going to win the glitter ball when we all know it’s being rigged for chris is a choice…”
Elsewhere, some viewers were frustrated that Jamie received such high praise for his Quickstep, especially since it was the same dance he performed during last year's Christmas Special.
One person said: “jamie doing a quickstep when he did a quickstep in the christmas show and won feels unfair… this should’ve been one of the dances he never got to do.'
“The judges mentioning the Glitterball after Jamie's Quickstep ( the dance that won him the Xmas special last year) If that's not a coincidence I don't know what is” a second person fumed.
However, others praised the routine. One person said: “Great quickstep from Jamie and Michelle. Loved the out of hold as well as in hold. Full of energy #Strictly.” A second chimed in: “Jamie's best dance by miles...loved that! #Strictly”
