Jaime Winstone Gets Emotional on 'Strictly' After Dance-Off

Jaime Winstone described her experience in the first bottom two of "Strictly Come Dancing" this series as "horrifying." The actress, 41, along with her professional partner Carlos Gu, faced elimination on Sunday night but ultimately survived the dance-off against Chris Appleton.

Appearing on "Strictly: It Takes Two" on Tuesday, Winstone revealed that the dance-off had shaken her confidence and brought back difficult memories from her school days, evoking feelings of not fitting in.

"It was terrifying. All the feelings of 'Oh, nobody likes me, and we got so much wrong'," Winstone shared tearfully with host Ellie Taylor. "But, I loved doing the dance, I love the Cha Cha... It has been really emotional."

She further elaborated, explaining how certain comments from Appleton triggered childhood insecurities. "You really do go back to that child in school going 'I don't fit in' – when actually some of the greatest things about you are what make you stand out," she said. "A lot of insecurities happened yesterday. But you know, it's not how you fall, it's how you get back up again."

Carlos Gu expressed his disappointment at being in the dance-off for the first time in three years, stating his feelings were more for Winstone, as he believed the decision was unfair.

The couple is set to perform a Viennese Waltz to "Never Tear Us Apart" this coming weekend. Winstone intends to channel the emotional impact of the past week into her performance, viewing it as a powerful tool for her as an actor.

"Coming in with the energy, I can use it as the tools, you know? As an actor, I can go, 'Right ok, I am feeling really emotional from last weekend' But also, it's really powerful," she explained.

Gu also conveyed his sadness regarding his friend Amy Dowden's early exit from the competition for the second consecutive year, posting on Instagram, "My heart is broken!!! To my sister from another mother @amy_dowden, to @chrisappleston1, I wish people could [have] had more chance to see what a beautiful human you are!"

Earlier in the week, Appleton had also spoken about his feelings of vulnerability on the show. He recalled feeling similar vulnerability as a child at school, contrasting it with his established career where he felt more confident. "So going out there and dancing… if you'd ever said to someone about me dancing, they would laugh!" Appleton admitted. "My son said to me when I said I was going to do Strictly, 'Dad, you better start doing yoga, because those hips are really stiff.' And I laughed at it, but I didn't really realise, when I'd be standing in front of the nation doing it, that he was right."