Strictly Come Dancing and EastEnders star, Jamie Borthwick, has revealed his struggles with health issues, including anxiety, ahead of his participation in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing show. The 30-year-old actor, who portrays Jay Brown on the BBC soap EastEnders, will be competing in the upcoming series of the popular dance competition. Despite being a familiar face on BBC television for years, this will be Jamie’s first foray into reality TV.
Jamie will be joining other celebrities and professional dancers, such as Pete Wicks, Tasha Ghouri, Sam Quek, JB Gill, and Chris McCausland, as he takes on the challenge of dancing on the show. Aside from his career achievements, Jamie has been vocal about his personal health battles, as well as those of his family members. He recently participated in the London Marathon to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK, in support of his father and uncle who have both overcome prostate cancer.
The actor candidly shared about his struggles with anxiety and mental health issues, particularly his hypochondria and emetophobia. Hypochondria is characterised by persistent health concerns, even in the absence of serious conditions. Jamie revealed that his phobia of being sick led him to seek therapy, which he describes as essential in helping him cope with his anxiety. He emphasised the importance of managing mental health challenges and learning effective coping mechanisms.
Despite his ongoing battle with anxiety, Jamie expressed that he feels better equipped to handle his issues compared to a decade ago. He acknowledged that these challenges may never fully disappear but believes in the value of seeking help and developing coping strategies. Jamie’s openness about his mental health struggles serves to raise awareness and encourage others facing similar issues to seek support.
For access to NHS mental health services and urgent help, individuals can visit the NHS website. Additionally, various listening services are available to provide support, with more information accessible on Mind’s website. By sharing his journey, Jamie hopes to inspire others to prioritise their mental well-being and seek help when needed.