EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick sensationally SUSPENDED by BBC for using sick disabled slur on Strictly set
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EASTENDERS star Jamie Borthwick has been dramatically suspended by the BBC for using a vile disabled slur on the set of Strictly.
The actor 30, apologised for 'any offence and upset' after aiming the sick jibe at Blackpool locals.
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Jamie Borthwick was dramatically suspended by the BBC for using a sickening disabled slur on the Strictly set
Credit: BBC
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EastEnders star Borthwick issued a grovelling apology after his offensive comment emerged on a video
Credit: BBC
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The Sun on Sunday understands Jamie has been suspended by the BBC from his role playing Jay Slater on EastEnders
Disability equality charity Scope said the remarks were 'ignorant and hurtful', adding: 'Attitudes and language like this are never acceptable.'
The EastEnders star was suspended by the BBC after a video emerged of him on the Strictly set using the term 'm********s' to describe the people of Blackpool, the seaside town where the show was being filmed.
Blackpool Council's Tory group leader Paul Galley blasted: 'Everyone will be shocked at such a horrible comment and I join them in condemning it.'
And the BBC told The Sun on Sunday: '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.'
The Sun on Sunday understands Jamie has been suspended by the BBC from his role playing Jay Slater on EastEnders.
Jamie made the offensive remark on a mobile phone video while the Strictly cast and crew were at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom last November for the flagship BBC1 series live show.
He was backstage during rehearsals with his Strictly co-star Wynne Evans who said 'Oh my God' on the footage sent to a pal of Jamie's.
Jamie, who has been on EastEnders since 2006, said in a statement to The Sun on Sunday: '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.
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'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.
'When I made the video, I was excited and caught up in the moment.
'Again, that is no excuse.
'But my regrettable actions are not a true reflection of my views, or who I am.
'I enjoyed every minute of my time in the Blackpool Tower Ballroom and the town itself.
'The people of Blackpool have always been amazing with the Strictly crew, dancers and cast members.
'I know they will be again for this year's show and those in years to come.
'I am truly sorry.'
The actor and Wynne were sharing their excitement after being told they were selected for the lucrative Strictly tour - which was staged nationwide earlier this year.
Jamie, laughing, says on the video: 'Blackpool by the way. 'Absolute m********s'.'
The soap star and his professional dance partner Michelle Tsiakkas were lauded in Blackpool after dancing the Jive to The Ketchup Song by Las Ketchup in the live show on November 16.
This latest shock comes after opera singer Wynne was booted off the Strictly tour in January accused of making an inappropriate sexual comment, and later told his BBC Radio Wales contract is not being renewed following a four-month investigation.
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Borthwick pictured with dance partner Michelle Tsiakkas on Strictly
Credit: PA
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The comments sparked an angry reaction from disability campaigners and the people of Blackpool
Credit: Alamy
And it follows The Sun on Sunday revealing in April how Jamie and Wynne were rapped by BBC bosses for sharing a joke over a sex toy video backstage at the Strictly tour in Birmingham - which happened before the latter's suspension.
Now Jamie is at the centre of a new storm after The Sun on Sunday alerted his team and the BBC to the latest video.
It sparked an angry reaction from disability campaigners and the people of Blackpool.
Warren Kirwan, Media Manager at disability equality charity Scope said: 'Attitudes and language like this are never acceptable.
'It's not just ignorant and hurtful to disabled people, it has wider consequences.
'Negative attitudes hold disabled people back in all areas of life from getting a job to shopping on the high street.
It's not just ignorant and hurtful to disabled people, it has wider consequences. Negative attitudes hold disabled people back in all areas of life from getting a job to shopping on the high street
Warren Kirwan, Scope
'Mr Borthwick needs to reflect on what he said, educate himself and do better.
'We hope he takes the opportunity to get to know the reality of disabled people's lives.'
Councillor Paul Galley, Blackpool Council's Conservative group leader, condemned Jamie Borthwick's comments.
He said: 'Blackpool's best asset is its amazing people, along with the millions of people from around the UK who genuinely love the town.
'Everyone will be shocked at such a horrible comment and I join them in condemning it.'
Meanwhile, a source explained how the Blackpool show is the 'jewel in the crown' of the Strictly series - with celebs and pro dancers often saying how much they enjoy performing there.
The source added: 'This will be considered a real blow and hugely embarrassing to the BBC and the show's very warm relationship with the people of Blackpool and the Blackpool Tower Ballroom.'
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South Wales Guardian
21 minutes ago
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A video emerged of the actor, who plays Jay Brown on the soap, using the term to describe the people of Blackpool, the town where the show was being filmed, The Sun on Sunday first reported. Borthwick is said to have made the offensive remark on a phone video while the Strictly cast were at Blackpool Tower Ballroom last November. A spokesperson for the BBC said: '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.' Warren Kirwan, media manager at disability equality charity Scope, said: 'Attitudes and language like this are never acceptable. 'It's not just ignorant and hurtful to disabled people, it has wider consequences. 'Negative attitudes hold disabled people back in all areas of life, from getting a job to shopping on the high street. 'Mr Borthwick needs to reflect on what he said, educate himself and do better. 'We hope he takes the opportunity to get to know the reality of disabled people's lives.' Borthwick won the Strictly 2023 Christmas special with Nancy Xu, and won the best actor gong at the Inside Soap Awards in September that year, with the show recognised with the best storyline for Loving And Losing Lola, about character Lola Pearce-Brown's brain tumour diagnosis. As part of the storyline, Borthwick, as Lola's husband Jay, and Emma Barton, as Honey Mitchell, ran the London Marathon in character in honour of Lola after her death. His suspension comes after Wynne Evans last week said he had been dropped by the BBC, following an apology saying that he used 'inappropriate language' during the launch of the Strictly Come Dancing tour. The Welsh opera singer, 53, known for the insurance advertisements, will no longer be a BBC Radio Wales presenter, he announced on May 30. Earlier this year, he apologised for language that he called 'inappropriate and unacceptable' after The Mail On Sunday reported that Evans was heard making a remark to a woman in a video filmed during the Strictly launch event. It is understood he was given a warning over the remark by tour producers. In January, he said: 'I've agreed with the BBC that I'll take some time out from my radio show and the Strictly Live tour, as well as my other public commitments, to prioritise my wellbeing. 'I am deeply sorry for the pain my inappropriate actions have caused, and plan to take this time for self-reflection. 'Apologies to those I won't get to see at the remaining performances and I'm grateful to my fellow tour gang for all the amazing support they have given me.' The singer, who performed in the 25th anniversary of The Phantom Of The Opera and also won 2023's Celebrity MasterChef, told The Sun on Sunday earlier this month that the Strictly comment was not sexual or directed at one of the female cast but was a nickname for fellow contestant Borthwick. He told the paper: 'I didn't see the statement, Old Spit-roast Boy was a nickname for Jamie Borthwick. I'm not a bad guy, I'm not a misogynist, I'm not any of these things.' Evans added: 'And so I went, 'I'm so sorry'. And that was taken as a formal apology, so the press team issued a statement. I didn't see it. 'When I read the apology within the context of the story as it had been written, I was absolutely horrified.' The Strictly tour saw contestants of the most recent series return to the dancefloor, including Love Island star Tasha Ghouri, actress Sarah Hadland, JLS singer JB Gill, The X Factor winner Shayne Ward and Gladiators star Montell Douglas. They toured the country alongside Strictly judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse, performing in cities including Birmingham, Sheffield, Newcastle, Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester and London.
The Herald Scotland
31 minutes ago
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Borthwick is said to have made the offensive remark on a phone video while the Strictly cast were at Blackpool Tower Ballroom last November. A spokesperson for the BBC said: '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.' Warren Kirwan, media manager at disability equality charity Scope, said: 'Attitudes and language like this are never acceptable. 'It's not just ignorant and hurtful to disabled people, it has wider consequences. 'Negative attitudes hold disabled people back in all areas of life, from getting a job to shopping on the high street. 'Mr Borthwick needs to reflect on what he said, educate himself and do better. 'We hope he takes the opportunity to get to know the reality of disabled people's lives.' Borthwick won the Strictly 2023 Christmas special with Nancy Xu, and won the best actor gong at the Inside Soap Awards in September that year, with the show recognised with the best storyline for Loving And Losing Lola, about character Lola Pearce-Brown's brain tumour diagnosis. As part of the storyline, Borthwick, as Lola's husband Jay, and Emma Barton, as Honey Mitchell, ran the London Marathon in character in honour of Lola after her death. His suspension comes after Wynne Evans last week said he had been dropped by the BBC, following an apology saying that he used 'inappropriate language' during the launch of the Strictly Come Dancing tour. The Welsh opera singer, 53, known for the insurance advertisements, will no longer be a BBC Radio Wales presenter, he announced on May 30. Earlier this year, he apologised for language that he called 'inappropriate and unacceptable' after The Mail On Sunday reported that Evans was heard making a remark to a woman in a video filmed during the Strictly launch event. It is understood he was given a warning over the remark by tour producers. Wynne Evans and Katya Jones during the Strictly Come Dancing – The Live Tour launch at Utilita Arena, Birmingham, in January (Jacob King/PA) In January, he said: 'I've agreed with the BBC that I'll take some time out from my radio show and the Strictly Live tour, as well as my other public commitments, to prioritise my wellbeing. 'I am deeply sorry for the pain my inappropriate actions have caused, and plan to take this time for self-reflection. 'Apologies to those I won't get to see at the remaining performances and I'm grateful to my fellow tour gang for all the amazing support they have given me.' The singer, who performed in the 25th anniversary of The Phantom Of The Opera and also won 2023's Celebrity MasterChef, told The Sun on Sunday earlier this month that the Strictly comment was not sexual or directed at one of the female cast but was a nickname for fellow contestant Borthwick. He told the paper: 'I didn't see the statement, Old Spit-roast Boy was a nickname for Jamie Borthwick. I'm not a bad guy, I'm not a misogynist, I'm not any of these things.' Evans added: 'And so I went, 'I'm so sorry'. And that was taken as a formal apology, so the press team issued a statement. I didn't see it. 'When I read the apology within the context of the story as it had been written, I was absolutely horrified.' The Strictly tour saw contestants of the most recent series return to the dancefloor, including Love Island star Tasha Ghouri, actress Sarah Hadland, JLS singer JB Gill, The X Factor winner Shayne Ward and Gladiators star Montell Douglas. They toured the country alongside Strictly judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse, performing in cities including Birmingham, Sheffield, Newcastle, Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester and London.
Glasgow Times
37 minutes ago
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A video emerged of the actor, who plays Jay Brown on the soap, using the term to describe the people of Blackpool, the town where the show was being filmed, The Sun on Sunday first reported. Borthwick is said to have made the offensive remark on a phone video while the Strictly cast were at Blackpool Tower Ballroom last November. A spokesperson for the BBC said: '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.' Warren Kirwan, media manager at disability equality charity Scope, said: 'Attitudes and language like this are never acceptable. 'It's not just ignorant and hurtful to disabled people, it has wider consequences. 'Negative attitudes hold disabled people back in all areas of life, from getting a job to shopping on the high street. 'Mr Borthwick needs to reflect on what he said, educate himself and do better. 'We hope he takes the opportunity to get to know the reality of disabled people's lives.' Borthwick won the Strictly 2023 Christmas special with Nancy Xu, and won the best actor gong at the Inside Soap Awards in September that year, with the show recognised with the best storyline for Loving And Losing Lola, about character Lola Pearce-Brown's brain tumour diagnosis. As part of the storyline, Borthwick, as Lola's husband Jay, and Emma Barton, as Honey Mitchell, ran the London Marathon in character in honour of Lola after her death. His suspension comes after Wynne Evans last week said he had been dropped by the BBC, following an apology saying that he used 'inappropriate language' during the launch of the Strictly Come Dancing tour. The Welsh opera singer, 53, known for the insurance advertisements, will no longer be a BBC Radio Wales presenter, he announced on May 30. Earlier this year, he apologised for language that he called 'inappropriate and unacceptable' after The Mail On Sunday reported that Evans was heard making a remark to a woman in a video filmed during the Strictly launch event. It is understood he was given a warning over the remark by tour producers. Wynne Evans and Katya Jones during the Strictly Come Dancing – The Live Tour launch at Utilita Arena, Birmingham, in January (Jacob King/PA) In January, he said: 'I've agreed with the BBC that I'll take some time out from my radio show and the Strictly Live tour, as well as my other public commitments, to prioritise my wellbeing. 'I am deeply sorry for the pain my inappropriate actions have caused, and plan to take this time for self-reflection. 'Apologies to those I won't get to see at the remaining performances and I'm grateful to my fellow tour gang for all the amazing support they have given me.' The singer, who performed in the 25th anniversary of The Phantom Of The Opera and also won 2023's Celebrity MasterChef, told The Sun on Sunday earlier this month that the Strictly comment was not sexual or directed at one of the female cast but was a nickname for fellow contestant Borthwick. He told the paper: 'I didn't see the statement, Old Spit-roast Boy was a nickname for Jamie Borthwick. I'm not a bad guy, I'm not a misogynist, I'm not any of these things.' Evans added: 'And so I went, 'I'm so sorry'. And that was taken as a formal apology, so the press team issued a statement. I didn't see it. 'When I read the apology within the context of the story as it had been written, I was absolutely horrified.' The Strictly tour saw contestants of the most recent series return to the dancefloor, including Love Island star Tasha Ghouri, actress Sarah Hadland, JLS singer JB Gill, The X Factor winner Shayne Ward and Gladiators star Montell Douglas. They toured the country alongside Strictly judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse, performing in cities including Birmingham, Sheffield, Newcastle, Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester and London.
