Soap star Jamie Borthwick hinted that a legendary fellow EastEnders actor could be tempted to join a future Strictly series.
Borthwick and dance partner Michelle Tsiakkas topped the shows leaderboard in Week Five with the bull-fighting themed Paso Doble.
The couple’s number wowed the judges and audience, receiving a standing ovation.
Two audience members on their feet applauding were Borthwick’s fellow EastEnders stars Adam Woodyatt and Tanya Franks.
The actor, 30, was quizzed on the appearance of soap legend Woodyatt, who has played well-known character Ian Beale for decades, by It Takes Two Host Janette Manrara on Wednesday.
She asked: “Do you think he’d ever do Strictly?” Borthwick claimed that Woodyatt “could be swayed to do Strictly”.
Adam Woodyatt and Tanya Franks cheer on Borthwick
BBC
He added: “He really enjoyed it on Saturday, and he’s been loads of times before to supports loads of other people.”
To the excitement of Manrara and Tsiakkas, Borthwick cheekily concluded: “If you gave him a little push, I think he would do Strictly.”
Woodyatt could potentially join a long line of EastEnders alumni, including Borthwick, to take part in the competition.
In 2021, EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis lifted the Glitterball Trophy alongside former Strictly dancer Giovanni Pernice.
Adam Woodyatt as Ian Beale
BBC
Borthwick is also finding success in the competition, with he and Tsiakkas remaining the only couple whose scores have improved every week.
With 39 points, they shared top of the leaderboard with Gladiators star Montell Douglas and partner Johannes Radebe.
Head judge Shirely Ballas descibed Borthwick’s Paso Doble as “remarkable” and complimented Tsiakkas on her “absolutely outstanding” choerography.
Fellow judge Anton Du Beke also said: “You will never dance a dance better than that. You were brilliant.”
Craig Revel Horwood was the only judge not to lift a ten paddle but declared their number was “Paso-bleeding-tastic.”
Speaking on It Takes Two, Tsiakkas’ said she “knew it was going to be a good dance” and was enthused about Borthwick’s commitment.
Borthwick explained how the increasing intensity of the competition was bringing the contestants together as a “tight knit group” and that he was “really sad” to see Paul Merson eliminated.
The couple also unveiled their Halloween Week dance, an American Smooth Foxtrot to the Adams Family theme.
