Jamie Borthwick calls Strictly 'impossible' as he addresses claims about criticism
Some fans think the judges are being a bit 'harsh' when it comes to the marking
What did you miss?
Jamie Borthwick called Strictly "impossible" as he addressed claims that he is facing some tough judging on the BBC show.
The EastEnders actor and his pro partner Michelle Tsiakkas are popular with fans of the ballroom contest and some have posted messages on social media saying they think Shirley Ballas and co are being a bit "harsh" when it comes to their marks. Borthwick was quizzed about it on spin-off It Takes Two and said the judges "do want the standard to be very high".
But Tsiakkas chimed in to say "the judges are critical of you", adding however, that they welcomed the feedback.
What, how and why?
Presenter Fleur East brought the issue up on the show on Monday, 18 November, saying some viewers had been suggesting the judges were "overly critical" of Borthwick. It came after Saturday's show, where the pair scored 33 out of 40 and some people felt they should have been marked higher.
Borthwick replied: "I mean, you know, I think they, especially at this stage in the comp, they do want the standard to be very high because the standard is very high. If you aren’t maybe delivering that perfection they are going to notice that."
He went on: "But you know, look, Strictly is next to impossible, learning a routine in two days, because it is two days by the time you do everything else - it’s two days!
"You know, doing all that, doing another job blah blah blah, so I feel like we are all giving it our absolute best. I am certainly more than happy with everything that we have done."
Pro dancer Tsiakkas then said: "The judges are critical of you, they are very critical and we are open to constructive criticism, we want it.
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"But I just want to say Jamie goes out there and every Saturday performs his heart out. I feel it, the audience feels it, the people at home feel it. And that’s what Strictly is about.
"So this is what I want you to keep doing. Just going there and giving it everything on the dancefloor and yes sometimes that means the little technical faults…"
"I'd rather you go and enjoy yourself and give it everything than stress about the tiny little technical faults," she said.
What have viewers said?
Many viewers posted messages on X after the Blackpool show saying they thought that Borthwick and Tsiakkas should have been marked higher for their Jive to The Ketchup Song by Las Ketchup.
One posted: "Why, why, why will the judges not just acknowledge how good Jamie is? I feel like their comments and scores are always so harsh compared to others."
Another said it "deserved higher". "Jamie’s Jive was amazing!" said someone else. "Loved his dance. Not sure why the judges are so harsh on him."
However, not everyone agreed, with one fan posting that Borthwick "really deserved to be in the bottom 3" along with Pete Wicks and Wynne Evans, who was eliminated.
Strictly: It Takes Two airs on BBC Two at 6.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One at 7.05pm on Saturday.
