EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick’s ‘soap return after three month suspension’ leaves disability campaigners fuming following his shocking slur backstage at Strictly

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It’s said that EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick is likely to resume his role on the BBC soap opera next month, which has sparked frustration among advocates for people with disabilities.

The 31-year-old actor, known for portraying Jay Brown for 19 years, was temporarily banned by the broadcasting company in June following an incident where he allegedly used offensive language towards individuals with disabilities backstage during Strictly.

A video acquired by The Sun on Sunday depicted Jamie employing the slang term “m” to refer to locals in Blackpool, the location of the show during filming.

According to the latest news from The Sun, the actor is set to resume his work following a three-month hiatus, despite suggestions he should participate in awareness workshops.

In an interview with the publication, Shani Dhanda from Scope expressed her shock regarding a specific story, particularly noting that the character portrayed by Jamie in the series frequently interacts with another character named Janet, who has Down syndrome.

At some point, she considered him much like a father figure. Although he never explicitly used derogatory language towards a disabled individual, the significance of appropriate communication cannot be overstated.

The head of the Conservative party within Blackpool Council urged the actor to revisit the city, expressing a desire for him to personally apologize for any pain his statements may have inflicted.

When a celebrity gets suspended by the BBC for misbehavior but returns without apparent regret other than a simple apology, it seems they can escape major penalties.

A representative from the BBC stated that they don’t comment on specific incidents, but each situation is evaluated independently based on its unique circumstances. They have a firm stance that unacceptable behavior and inappropriate language are not condoned.

Daily Mail has also contacted Jamie’s representatives for comment.  

Last week, I shook off the controversy from my temporary leave, and found myself joining my fellow actors for an exhilarating night at the Oasis reunion concert held at Wembley.

In his latest Instagram update following the controversy, Jamie appeared alongside Tony Clay, Natalie Cassidy, and Marc Humphreys.

The group posted some pictures on their story, exuding a Britpop vibe as they donned bucket hats and sported Oasis-themed clothing.

Jamie could been seen singing-a-long to the band’s hit songs in the crowd while Natalie cheered. 

It’s being discussed that the leaders at BBC may be questioned about their handling of situations, as John Torode and Jamie were both involved in using potentially offensive language, yet it appears they were treated differently.

The renowned MasterChef personality, aged 59, was dismissed following accusations of using a racial slur, specifically the N-word, on two occasions while seemingly mimicking lyrics from a Kanye West song.

According to The Sun, the managers at the BBC are facing scrutiny due to perceived inconsistencies in their handling of two separate cases. One individual was terminated, while another was placed on suspension.

It’s been reported that the way John and Jamie were handled, given their comparable situations, raises some unanswered questions.

The BBC finds itself in a complex situation, as two of its prominent personalities seem to have employed inappropriate and disrespectful speech. However, while one was terminated, the other remains on payroll with only a suspension, avoiding a significant salary reduction.

Individuals with disabilities find themselves questioning why derogatory remarks about abilities aren’t being addressed as urgently as racial insults, and management hasn’t provided clear explanations on the matter,” the source stated further.

A representative from the BBC stated that they don’t discuss specific issues, but every situation is assessed individually based on its unique details.

It’s important for us to make it crystal clear that we do not accept any behavior or language that is inappropriate.

According to reports, Jamie was present backstage while Wynne Evans was rehearsing, and it was audible that he exclaimed “Oh my God” upon making a certain comment.

Since then, he’s expressed his regret, admitting that he wasn’t fully aware of the offensive connotation behind the word he employed. Now that he knows better, he feels deeply ashamed.

At that point in time, according to The Sun, Jamie expressed uncertainty about returning to EastEnders to a previous partner. He also reportedly said, “I acknowledge the consequences I’ve faced due to some poor decisions,” which he referred to as ‘karma’.

In a continuation, Jamie shared that he’s currently trying to rectify past errors in his life. He also expressed a heartfelt desire to genuinely apologize for any blunders he may have committed, acknowledging the pain he caused and regretful about the way he managed the entire situation.

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2025-08-09 23:50