EastEnders’ Jamie Borthwick breaks silence on rumours he’s dating BBC co-star

Jamie Borthwick seems to have finally dismissed rumours that he is dating former co-star Danielle Harold as he threw his hat in the ring for next year’s Strictly Come Dancing.

The EastEnders pair, who played the loved-up couple Jay and Lola on the BBC soap, have remained close even after Danielle’s character died from a brain tumour, leaving viewers heartbroken. Speculation swirled that the could be some off-screen chemistry, too – something neither have previously confirmed or denied.

Jamie, who posted his support for her throughout I’m A Celebrity and has also been linked to his new Albert Square star Jazzy Phoenix, has now dashed fans’ hope that they are secretly together. Now he bracing himself for more rumours of romance after signing up for the Strictly Christmas Special with Nancy Xu as his dance partner.

Talking after getting tongues wagging, he said ahead of the launch: “They linked me with Jazzy and they linked me with Danielle. I’m just surprised they haven’t linked me with Nancy! There is no lady on the scene at the minute, I’m just enjoying the quiet life.”

While he did enjoy Jazzy’s company, Jamie insists he felt more like her brother than her boyfriend. “We got on like a house on fire,” he confesses. “Like brother and sister.” And he hints Nadine might be back in Walford soon, teasing, “Nadine left a bit sudden, but as quick as they leave, they come back!”

This Christmas, EastEnders viewers will see Jamie receive a video message from Lola filmed before she died, telling him he’ll be running the London Marathon next year with Honey (Emma Barton). Jamie and Emma ran the London Marathon for real in 2019 on behalf of Dementia Revolution in support of their late co-star Dame Barbara Windsor. Crossing the finish line felt euphoric, but Jamie can’t forget how tough it was.”

He says he’d love to do a full series and historically, EastEnders stars do well on the show. This year, Bobby Brazier has made the final, with former star Nigel Harman also riding high until a rib injury forced him to retire in week 11. Maisie Smith, Emma Barton, Jake Wood, Jessie Wallace and Kellie Bright have all sparkled on the dance floor in previous series. “Where do I sign?” laughs Jamie. “Nancy’s great and the whole team is great. The show is magic.”

But we can forget seeing him follow in Danielle’s footsteps. “I would not do the jungle for all the money in the world!” he says. “Even with £250 billion looking at me in a suitcase, I would still say ‘no’. Even being on a plane for that long is not for me. The eating, the trials and all the animals… I shouldn’t be outside for that long. I don’t even like rice and beans!”