Strictly Come Dancing contestant Jaime Winstone has revealed how her father, Hollywood actor Ray Winstone, reacted after she landed in the first dance-off of the series. The actress and her professional partner, reigning champion Carlos Gu, received the fewest public votes alongside celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton and his partner Amy Dowden.
Both couples performed their routines again, with Jaime and Carlos dancing to Pretty Woman. All four judges opted to save them, resulting in Chris and Amy's elimination.
Emotional weekend
Jaime discussed the setback on Tuesday's BBC Morning Live with Helen Skelton and OJ Borg. Helen opened: "You're both so wonderful but there's no taking away from the fact, we're going to mention the dance-off and then we're going to move on, Jaime. It's a bit of a blow when you've worked so hard, how are you feeling?"
Jaime responded: "It is, it's been an emotional weekend and a hard couple of days. I'm still here, fighting fit and rearing to go. It is challenging and I am really glad we got to a dance-off because I got to do it again and I got to do it right and correctly, that's the silver-lining here."
She continued: "It's been both ends of the spectrum, there's been quite a lot of tears, it's been very emotional, you're just working so hard. Doing a lot of things out of my comfort zone. We were in the first-dance off, there's a lot of firsts."
Carlos Gu's perspective
Carlos added: "But we always keep spirits high, at the end of the day, it's a dance that really inspires people. I wanted Jaime to have the best time and enjoy every dance, hopefully we can stay in the competition as long as possible because so many styles of dance really suit her, so I'm just really excited."
Having claimed the glitterball trophy alongside Karen Carney the previous year, Carlos went on to say: "Every year's experience is different with every partner. Every year you want your partner to have the best time they can, and really get to know them through the ups and downs and build a friendship and relationship that can hopefully transcend through the screen."
"Also, on top of that, make them dance as fabulous as they can, that's my job. So not really thinking about results but more about the journey that we have had and how much fun we're going to have."
Ray Winstone's advice
Jaime, however, playfully admitted she was "feeling the pressure," before revealing: "I love dancing, this is a dream of mine. I've always wanted to dance on a professional level, I never have done, I've never had a dance lesson, so this is a real dream come true."
Offering a glimpse into their upcoming routine, she revealed: "It's challenging, I'm enjoying the challenge, I'm just kind of shaking last week off... it's in the past."
Jaime went on to share the support she'd received from her dad. Recalling his reaction to their dance, she said: "My dad is watching, he is loving it. He's suddenly a fifth judge."
She added: "He just said, pick yourself up kid and crack on, and that's what I've got to do. It's not how you fall, it's how you get up, and I really feel like, this is the show we're in and I'm overcoming certain vulnerabilities and I'm really loving it, it's the journey we're on and I love sharing it with Carlos."
"But my mum and dad are just absolutely loving it and my nan is over the moon!" She added that her dad was "loving Carlos and loving what we're doing".
She continued: "He's super proud of me. He knows it's a really hard job that we're doing and he knows that I'm putting in the effort, we are having a lot of fun but we're putting in the work as well."
Ray appeared on The One Show earlier this year, admitting, about Jaime's Strictly stint: "I don't know who is more nervous, her or me? It's kind of new, she can dance anyway, but when you have to learn to dance with other people in routines, that's what she's worried about. But the great thing is, she'll be as fit as a butcher's dog."
Referencing Danny Dyer's daughter Dani, who has returned to Strictly after having to back out over an injury last year, Ray added: "Two good kids, I hope she does well, I hope they both do well."
Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturday, October 10 at 6.15pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
