Bobby Brazier paid homage to BBC Strictly star Dianne Buswell after being paired with her in the show back in 2023.
Speaking exclusively to GB News at the recent National Film Awards, for which he scooped an accolade, EastEnders star Brazier expressed his ongoing admiration for Buswell.
Reflecting on his time on Strictly, Brazier, 22, told this publication: “It was amazing. It was incredible.
“Actually, I think it was last night, I came across some videos of Dianne and I in rehearsals, and some of the edits that people make of the dances, and it’s just… It’s very emotional, because it was such a crazy time.
“It was so much fun. We played so much but also, we really suffered for it as well. It’s a really nostalgic feeling and I look back on it very fondly.”
Addressing Buswell’s win last year, he beamed as he spoke about the 36-year-old.
“I know, it’s crazy, it’s incredible what she’s done,” he commented. “I was thinking about how when I was doing it, mirrors were absolutely necessary. You know, they really helped me know what I was doing and I really relied on the mirrors.
“But obviously they [comedian Chris McCausland and Dianne] couldn’t use mirrors because he’s blind.
“The way that he obviously learned is incredible, but the way that she taught him as well, so much patience and determination, she’s great.”
Buswell and McCausland lifted the Glitterball trophy last year, a year after she made it to the final alongside Brazier.
Elsewhere, the actor talked about his “mixed feelings” about leaving his role of BBC soap EastEnders.
“[It’s] mixed feelings, because EastEnders has been my first sort of real job, and I’ve learned a lot there,” he shared.
“It feels like home. There is really a family sort of feeling amongst the cast and everyone else,” the actor continued.
Looking to the future, Brazier went on: “So I will miss it, and I’m very grateful for those three years.
“But with that being said, I think variety is important, and I did learn a lot.”
Sharing his verdict on the iconic soap family he joined, he also commented: “I’m so pleased to be a Slater, I wouldn’t want to be in any other family – the Slaters are genuinely the best family.”
Making clear his respect for his co-stars, the actor added: “I love them so much.
“Lacey Turner, I’m always singing her praises, she’s amazing. And ‘Nanny Jean,’ Gillian [Wright] yeah, I’m very lucky.”
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When asked about what’s coming next, Brazier admitted: “I don’t know. I guess that’s how it really works in this industry. You never really know!
“But yeah, I’d like to play a variety of different roles, work out what I like, what I’m good at and not good at and what I could work on. I’d like to learn more and also relax a bit too!”
