FINALIST Maisie Smith wants to win for her dad Stephen who lost his job this year.
He was made redundant from a London bank at the beginning of lockdown. Maisie’s mum and manager Julia said: “He looked after the office premises. When everyone was sent home he didn’t have anything to do.
“Having Maisie on Strictly has been a massive distraction from what we were going through. He’s so proud, he’s not into the limelight, he likes to sit back and watch us have fun.”
Last weekend Julia, 50, and Maisie’s lookalike sister Scarlett, 22, were in the reduced audience to see the 19-year-old EastEnders actress get to the final.
Julia added: “She’s the youngest contestant to reach it and the last female standing. It’s girl power.”
Fellow finalist HRVY, 21, has promised to take Maisie on a date after the series has finished.
But Julia said: “He’d have to come round and get to know us for six months first. But he seems like a genuinely lovely guy.”
She revealed Maisie, who has played Tiffany Butcher since was six, has had little time for romance.
Julia explains: “She had a little boyfriend when she was at school, but she’s been too busy.
“She’s a modern young woman, who is focusing on her career. There’s been no time for men.”
This year’s bubble rules meant Maisie moved out of the family home and lived alone for the first time.
Her Spanish pro dance partner Gorka Marquez, 30, has also had to leave girlfriend Gemma Atkinson, 36, and daughter Mia, one, for almost three months.
Julia said: “Gorka’s been absolutely fantastic with her. They’re both into their fitness, he seems as crazy as Maisie. I was never worried about the curse of Strictly with Maisie as he’s like a big brother to her.”
Julia is also delighted at Maisie’s new-found body confidence.
She said: “Four years ago she wouldn’t have gone on Strictly, because she wouldn’t have wanted to get her legs out, so it’s great as a mum to see that.
“She used to only like going out in trousers. She’s worked hard and wants to inspire the younger generation to be happy with what you’ve been given and make the best of it.”
Now they are all looking forward to a quiet, family Christmas.
She said: “Maisie can’t wait to come home, snuggle up with her dog, who I think she misses most, and watch Christmas movies in her PJs.”
