‘Strictly Come Dancing' Contestant Suspended By BBC After Using Offensive 'Disability-Related' Language On Set
The BBC has suspended one of its most familiar soap stars after he was heard using a slur against people with disabilities on a TV set, using the phrase to describe the people of Blackpool where he was filming.
BBC News reports that 'EastEnders' actor Jamie Borthwick made the remark in November during filming for Strictly Come Dancing (called Dancing with the Stars in many productions overseas), in which he was a contestant for last year's series.
More from Deadline
'Bake Off' Champion Presenter Nadiya Hussain Announces On Social Media The BBC Have Axed Cookery Series
Trump Vs Musk Gets BBC 'Have I Got News For You' Treatment After Meltdown Occurs During Recording
Kim Kardashian Robbery Spotlighted In BBC Three Doc; Canal+ & Netflix Partner In Sub-Saharan Africa; 'Jaws' Documentary; Netflix Buys Japanese Show - Global Briefs
The BBC said his language was 'entirely unacceptable in no no way reflects the values or standards we hold and expect.'
Borthwick has been in EastEnders since 2006, playing a central character called Jay Brown, and The Sun on Sunday newspaper reports that he has apologized for any 'offence and upset.'
In his statement to The Sun on Sunday, Borthwick said: '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.'
He added: '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.'
Strictly Come Dancing has had a run of controversial incidents in the past year, including Borthwick's fellow contestant last series Wynne Evans being overheard making a misogynistic remark about his dance partner. Evans has not had his BBC Radio Wales contract renewed, it was reported last week.
Best of Deadline
2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery
2025 TV Cancellations: Photo Gallery
'Stick' Soundtrack: All The Songs You'll Hear In The Apple TV+ Golf Series
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
"It's all about gut feeling" – IW Festival boss on what makes a true headliner
Isle of Wight Festival promoter John Giddings has revealed that when it comes to booking headline acts, social media clout comes a distant second to old-fashioned instinct. The long-time organiser of the Island's biggest music event says a performer's ability to connect with a real crowd is what truly matters – and no number of TikTok views can replace that. 'It's gut feeling, really,' said Mr Giddings. 'I've learned the hard way in my years in the music business that some people might have sold a lot of records, but they're useless when it comes to performing.' Crowd scene at the main stage at Isle of Wight Festival 2024 (Image: Paul Blackley / IWCP) Recommended reading: Isle of Wight Festival 2025: Main Stage and Big Top schedule revealed! "We're levelling up": Co-op adds second Isle of Wight Festival store for 2025 While he appreciates the appeal of digital fame, he's seen its limits. "I do know artists who've had a million views on TikTok, who can't sell 300 tickets at a club in London. "Just because all these people want to watch them on socials, doesn't mean they're going to pay money to go and see them in a field," Mr Giddings added. The 72-year-old, who has brought the festival back to life since its relaunch in 2002, knows a thing or two about putting on a show. From U2 and Madonna to Phil Collins and Blondie, he's worked with some of the biggest names in music. Speaking to the PA news agency, Mr Giddings explained that picking the right acts for Seaclose Park is about more than numbers. 'You want to book acts that have a catalogue that's going to entertain an audience for an hour, hour and a half,' he said. 'And someone who's capable of performing to an audience of 50,000 people in a field, because they need to be able to project, to entertain." Crowd scene at the main stage at Isle of Wight Festival 2024 (Image: Paul Blackley / IWCP) Mr Giddings, who runs his music agency Solo out of London, says finding fresh talent is a vital part of the job. 'Because I'm older, we book acts from past, present and future,' he said. 'There's a discussion in the office as to what new bands are coming up, and you're projecting as to what they're going to be doing in the year's or nine months' time.' There's also room for fresh ideas from all corners of the operation. 'If the truck driver comes up with a good idea and it's a better idea than mine, then go for it,' said Mr Giddings. 'We've got 15 stages on the Isle of Wight, so whatever stage you're at in your career, you can play one of those stages.' Jay-Z, who headlined Friday night at the Isle of Wight Festival in 2010 Looking back on the magic moments over the years, one in particular stands out – Jay Z. 'I remember thinking 50,000 people couldn't go wilder, and then Kanye West walked on with them, and it exploded. 'I turned to my left, and there was Beyonce standing there – I thought 'It couldn't get better than this'.' Now, with more than two decades of organising the modern incarnation under his belt, his passion is undimmed. 'I absolutely love it, which is my downfall because I work all the time, I never think I've actually had a job,' he said. 'It's the most satisfying thing ever to provide entertainment for people.'
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
'Best place to live' hosts first Pride event
A town named the UK's "Best Place to Live" has hosted its first ever Pride event. Hundreds gathered at Audley End House and Gardens in Saffron Walden to celebrate the inaugural Walden Pride on Saturday. Aj Singh, who co-founded the Essex event, said: "It is making a real difference, particularly for young people to be represented and to know their town cares about them." The town was named the best place to live in the UK by The Sunday Times in March, for its schools, transport, access to green spaces - and the quality of the High Street. The Pride event featured music by local artists, including artists Sing Out Cambridge and Sakara Dee. People joined the march at 15:30 BST starting at The Common before finishing in time for the Pride Picnic Party. "It is so incredible to have an event like this close by as we have to travel usually," Aj Singh added. "We are both members of the community ourselves, this is not something that is a hobby for us, this is our lives." Stalls by Uttlesford UNISON, The Plant Pantry and Waterbaby Flowers, featured at the free event. Riley Millar, who also co-founded Walden Pride, said: "All that we have had is so much support and enthusiasm. "I wish that I had something like this when I was younger, and to see it happening little me would be so excited, it is needed." Money raised from the day will be used to fund future events arranged by Walden Pride. The idea for the festival was suggested by Audley End House site manager Kirstie Horne, who said she was "delighted" the site hosted the event. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Crowds gather for Essex Pride event Smallest town has 'fabulous' day celebrating Pride 'Pride is where we can be who we are' Saffron Walden named best place to live in the UK Audley End House and Gardens
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Scientists Figured Out the Personality Traits of Influencers, and It Could Explain a Lot
More and more young people are gunning to become influencers — but certain personality types appear more likely to pursue it as a career than others, which could explain a lot about the chaotic and outrageous industry. It's a worthwhile line of inquiry. Back in 2019, a Lego-sponsored survey found that among 3,000 kids in the US, UK, and China, a full third said they wanted to be influencers, while only 11 percent indicated an interest in becoming an astronaut. What does that immensely powerful trend mean for society? In a new study published in the journal Telematics and Informatics, researchers from Poland's University of Wrocław and Oxford found that young people who are extraverted, self-involved, and — quelle surprise — dramatic were more likely to aspire to being an influencer than their more introverted and calmer counterparts. After recruiting nearly 800 participants aged 16 and 17 — roughly half of whom were Polish, with the other half based in the United Kingdom — the researchers posed a battery of questions to their teen subjects about their career goals and their dream jobs. The participants were also given questionnaires that measured how strongly they exhibit the "Big Five" personality traits — openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism — as well as how histrionic, or dramatic, they are. As the researchers found, those with heightened extraversion, narcissism, and histrionics — a tendency to be dramatic and expressive about it, basically — were more likely to be interested in the influencer life. Those traits correlate to a desire to be seen and validated by others in much the same way as with theater kids — suggesting, perhaps, that the student thespians of today may be the influencers of tomorrow. Though there's been some research into how audiences perceive the personalities of content creators, this study appears to be the first that looks into the traits the drive people to become influencers — or wannabe influencer, at least, since the career is anything but a slam dunk for most who attempt it. More on personality: Hawk Tuah Girl Says She's Horrified by What Happened With Her Crypto Launch
