Jamie Borthwick's EastEnders future 'uncertain' as BBC questioned amid John Torode sacking

Daily Mirror

18-07-2025

EastEnders'Jamie Borthwick kept his job after using an ableist slur when he was on Strictly, but Masterchef judge John Torode was sacked over racism allegations.
Jamie Borthwick's time on EastEnders has reportedly been brought into question amid the BBC's sacking of John Torode.
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It previously emerged that actor, who plays Jay Brown on the BBC soap, had used a disabled slur when he appeared on Strictly Come Dancing last year, and after it was revealed that Masterchef judge John Torode had been sacked from the broadcaster's culinary competition show for allegedly using the N-word twice, insiders have claimed that the "difference in treatment" of each of the stars has become a topic of concern, especially when considering the "very similar" nature of the complaints.
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A source told The Sun: "The BBC have tied themselves into knots with this - for them both stars appear to have used unacceptable and offensive language but only one has been sacked while another has kept his lucrative salary and got away with just a suspension. There doesn't appear to be any rhyme nor reason with how the BBC chooses to implement its own rules and people are questioning why."
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The insider also claimed that various disabled colleagues have been left with questions over the incident, and claimed that they don't feel taken "seriously" when it comes to ableist slurs, adding: "Disabled colleagues have been left wondering why incidents of ableist slurs seemingly aren't being taken as seriously as racist language and there are no clear answers coming from bosses.'
The 30-year-old actor has since apologised for using the derogatory word to describe locals in Blackpool, where Strictly filmed their special ballroom towards the end of 2024. It's reported footage was made of Jamie using the word, which was then sent to one of his friends. After the allegations emerged, Jamie issued an apology, stating: "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.
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At the time, the soap star rounded off his statement by claiming that he "did not fully understand" the term he used, but still took full responsibility for his actions, as he said: "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." Last month, it was claimed that Jamie was trying to "right the wrongs" in his life but, according to an ex, it was "not clear" at that stage whether he would keep his EastEnders job.
News of John's allegations emerged on Tuesday after production company Banijay said that an investigation into his co-star Gregg Wallace 's behaviour by firm Lewis Silkin had "substantiated an accusation of highly offensive racist language against" John, 59. John however said in a statement: "I have no recollection of what I'm accused of."
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It's now been suggested that John, who had co-hosted the cooking show since 2005, used the N-word twice. John is said to vehemently deny ever using the racial slur. Earlier this week John came forward as the person alleged to have used racist language, after the allegation was upheld in a report into John's colleague Gregg Wallace's behaviour.
John said he had no memory of making the comment and denies it ever happened. Later, Richard Osman spoke out to claim the ex MasterChef host used the 'worst racial slur there is'. And now it's been reported Torode allegedly used the N-word twice.
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The Sun reports that he repeated lyrics, containing the N-word, from Kanye West 's song Gold Digger at an after-work ­gathering six or seven years ago. He's then said to have used the word again whilst speaking to a member of the MasterChef production team.
John allegedly used the word a second time when speaking to a member of the production team, described as a "pal" who reportedly didn't take offence. According to the outlet, the person who raised the complaint on that occasion is said to have overheard the conversation. His friend reportedly thought John used the slur as an "example" and "apologised afterwards".
The publication adds that it's been told that John vehemently denies ever using the N-word, whether that be in song lyrics or otherwise. A source said that he's "utterly devastated" and "just wants to clear his name" amid the scandal.