EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick has delivered a heartfelt apology after using a derogatory term aimed at disabled individuals. The regrettable incident occurred roughly six months ago during his stint on Strictly Come Dancing. It has been rumoured that the actor, who has portrayed Jay Brown on EastEnders since 2006, has been suspended from the soap.
According to reports, Mr Borthwick used the offensive term in reference to Blackpool residents. The popular Strictly episode is often held at the lavish Blackpool Tower Ballroom. The word, considered offensive towards disabled people, was purportedly part of a video that Mr Borthwick distributed amongst his friends, reports the Manchester Evening News. In reaction to the incident, disability charity Scope and a local Blackpool politician have voiced their disapproval. Following this, Mr Borthwick released a statement through The Sun on Sunday, saying: “I want to apologise sincerely and wholeheartedly for the words I used in the video showing my reaction to making it through Blackpool week on Strictly.
“I am deeply sorry for any offence and upset my words and actions have caused. It is no excuse, but I did not fully understand the derogatory term I used and its meaning. That is on me completely.
“Now I am aware, I am deeply embarrassed to have used the term and directed it in the way I did. It was wrong.”
He then extended his apologies specifically to the Blackpool community, reiterating his remorse for his remarks.
The Sun has claimed that Mr Borthwick has been sidelined from EastEnders, leading to a statement from the BBC: “This language is entirely unacceptable and in no way reflects the values or standards we hold and expect at the BBC. We have robust processes in place for this.”
Last year’s Strictly saw Mr Borthwick dance with Michelle Tsiakkas, while opera singer Wynne Evans, 53, of Go Compare fame, faced backlash after being spotted running his hands over his partner Katya Jones on screen.
Despite claims of it being humorous, Wynne Evans came under fire again for contentious comments made off-air and during the live tour.
Mr Borthwick found himself tangled in the ensuing scandal due to his association with Evans.
Allegedly, the controversy sparked off in November, when Strictly was filming at Blackpool Tower Ballroom.
Scandal seems to trail the programme, with the previous years seeing its fair share of trouble, notably when Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice abruptly exited amidst backstage tension rumours.
Subsequent to the event, accusations against Pernice of abusive behaviour emerged, prompting an inquiry by the BBC which resulted in his departure from the spectacle. The anticipation is mounting as the 2025 season of the show approaches in two months’ time.