EastEnders star suspended by BBC over use of disabled slur
Jamie Borthwick, best known for playing Jay Brown in EastEnders, has been suspended by the BBC after footage emerged of him using a derogatory term about disabled people on the set of Strictly Come Dancing.
The offensive remark was reportedly made during a phone video while the cast was filming the Strictly 2023 special at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom in November. Borthwick allegedly used the slur when referring to the people of Blackpool. Jamie Borthwick. Pic: David Fisher/Shutterstock
In a statement, a BBC spokesperson 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.'
Disability equality charity Scope also condemned the comment and a spokesperson said:
'Attitudes and language like this are never acceptable. It's not just ignorant and hurtful to disabled people, it has real-world consequences.
'Negative attitudes hold disabled people back in all areas of life, from employment to basic access. Jamie Borthwick. Pic: David Fisher/Shutterstock
'Mr Borthwick needs to reflect on what he said, educate himself, and do better.'
Borthwick won the Strictly 2023 Christmas special with partner Nancy Xu. He also earned the Best Actor award at the 2023 Inside Soap Awards for his work on EastEnders, particularly the emotional 'Loving and Losing Lola' storyline, in which his character coped with his wife Lola's brain tumour diagnosis and death.
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