The pitch angle predicted by the transport analysis code TRANSP was compared with motional Stark effect (MSE) data. TRANSP was initialized in the early ramp-up phase using a measured pitch angle profile but evolved its current profile thereafter using the magnetic field diffusion equation. The comparison was carried out over a wide range of pulses, including cases where a current hole was established in the pre-heating phase. Besides confirming that a neoclassical model of the resistivity is superior to the classical one in modelling the evolution of the current profile in JET, the results also indicate that the TRANSP prediction is nearly always within the 95% confidence band of the MSE data. In addition, it is shown that the TRANSP q-profile is consistent with MHD data and Faraday rotation polarimetry data. The results presented here underpin the accuracy of the current profile predicted by a well-diagnosed TRANSP run.