FORMER EastEnders star Davood Ghadami has reached out to his co-star pal James Bye after he was dumped from Strictly this weekend.
Martin Fowler actor James become the latest celebrity to be eliminated from the hit BBC dance contest following an intense dance-off with singer and radio star Fleur East.
Davood paid tribute to his best mate James with a heartwarming snap
Davood appeared on Strictly in 2017
His pal Davood Ghadami, once a Strictly contestant himself, has now shared a heartfelt message to his best friend expressing how ‘proud’ he is of the star.
Sharing a heartwarming snap of them to Instagram, a gushing Davood wrote: “I’m really proud of my brilliant friend. He made so much progress and I feel like there was a lot more to see from him…
“But that’s the horrible thing with @bbcstrictly it’s everything then suddenly its gone.
The actor ended his post with: “Better to have danced and lost than not to have danced at all. Love ya @jimmybye”
James was partnered with Amy Dowden on the contest and was eliminated after he failed to impress with his Halloween week routine.
He found himself bottom of the leaderboard before the judges unanimously voted to save Sax singer Fleur in the dance-off.
James became emotional and during his exit speech, said: “All I could do was go out there and do my best.”
Host Tess Daly said: “When you came to us, you had two priorities, one was to have fun and two was to make your boys proud.”
James – who has three sons with wife Victoria – welled up as he addressed Tess’ comment.
Breaking down in tears, the actor said: “Don’t say that Tess.”
Pro dancer Any added: “You came in here to show your boys you can throw yourself into any challenge, you’re the best role model they could ever have, you’re positive, you’re fun, thank you.”
Getting choked up, James was forced to wipe away his tears as he took to the dancefloor for his final dance.
James and Davood formed a long-lasting friendship when they played best friends Kush and Martin on the hit BBC soap opera.
Davood has since departed the programme where he joined the cast of the now defunct Holby City.
The pair played best pals on EastEnders before becoming best friends off-screen
Davood danced with Nadiya on the show and made it far in the competition
James became emotional upon his elimination
EastEnders airs Monday-Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One whilst Strictly airs on Saturday and Sunday nights.
