Jamie Borthwick batted away suggestions he is romantically involved with Strictly Come Dancing partner Michelle Tsiakkas as he insisted they are like 'siblings'.
For years, the BBC show has sparked many an off-screen romance between celebrities and their professional partners, with some even leaving their spouses to pursue these relationships - prompting the name the 'Strictly curse'.
Fans saw the chemistry between the EastEnders star, 30, and the professional dancer, 29, on the launch show as they tested out cute nicknames for each other. However, he has since insisted they are so much like siblings 'no one has to worry'.
Laughing off the idea of the Strictly curse, Jamie told The Mirror: 'The idea of that whole Strictly curse, well it’s definitely not going to be a thing here because it would be weird doing that with my sister.
Jamie Borthwick batted away suggestions he may be romantically involved with Strictly Come Dancing partner Michelle Tsiakkas as he insisted they are like 'siblings'
Dispelling any rumours of romance and the dreaded Strictly curse, the actor, 30, claimed his partner Michelle, 29, mothers him and he secretly idolises her boyfriend
'Michelle and I met before Strictly and we instantly had a connection. But she is like a sister, an aunt, a mum, a best friend. She’s looking after me, she’s mothering me.'
And Jamie, who stars as cheeky chap Jay on the BBC One soap since he was 11, also said he is in awe of Michelle’s boyfriend Simone Arena, who is a Dancing With The Stars champion.
He explained: 'Her boyfriend doesn’t know it yet because we’ve never met, but he’s my rock already. I’ve been looking him up, watching him dance on his shows and I’m like, "Mate, you’re my icon". He’s an absolutely fantastic dancer.'
Michelle also added she and Jamie are like 'brother and sister' and have already established 'such a lovely connection' so early on in the show.
Jamie and Michelle, who are set to perform their first live show on Saturday, are fewer than two weeks into training but Jamie confessed the intense training regime has already taken its toll.
He claimed it's like 'Strictly has already won' as it has 'broken' him only a few days in but confessed that he's trying to keep that a 'secret' as he's one of the youngest competitors on the show.
He also confessed although the training regime is hard, he is still loving every aspect.
After winning last year’s Strictly Special with a perfect 40 score, Jamie is a favourite to win, which is heaping on the pressure.
Michelle is in a relationship with Dancing With The Stars champion Simone Arena
Laughing off the idea of the Strictly curse, Jamie said: 'The idea of that whole Strictly curse, well it’s definitely not going to be a thing here'
Last month, It was confirmed Jamie would be taking part in the hit BBC series. However, it won't be his first time as he competed in the Christmas special last year alongside Nancy Xu
Strictly Come Dancing's first live show airs on Saturday at 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer
He claimed everyone is 'making that known' but this time around is a 'totally different ballgame' as he confessed the Christmas special was an absolute 'doddle' compared to this year's show as it is a little bit more 'lighthearted'.
Confessing Strictly is 'always on his brain' when he goes to bed, Jamie admitted everything he previously learnt at Christmas he's 'completely forgotten'.
Michelle showed her support for her partner by adding all celebrities experience an 'initial shock' to the body when they are moving it in a way that it's not used to.
However, Jamie also confessed he is inherently lazy and loves his fast food so Michelle has to 'keep an eye' on him.
Admitting his nerves for his first routine, Jamie claimed that his obvious worry is that he would 'fall over' but a tiny part of him is hoping that it happens so then it's 'out of the way'.
However, despite the nerves, Jamie admitted that he and Michelle just want to 'have a laugh' and 'enjoy the buzz of live telly'.
The dynamic duo are not the only partnership thoroughly enjoying their first steps together.
As Love Island star Tasha Ghouri hit it off with Aljaz Skorjanec, as well as singer Toyah Willcox with Neil Jones and Olympic swimming star Tom Dean with Nadiya Bychkova.
