EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick returns to soap just three months after ban for shocking disability slur video
The actor, who plays Jay Brown in the show, got an Albert Square ban in June after The Sun on Sunday revealed a video of him using a severely derogatory term.
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Jamie Borthwick is set to return to EastEnders, to the dismay of disability campaigners
Credit: ISO
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Borthwick was suspended after using a derogatory term to insult the people of Blackpool
Credit: PA
The clip saw him describe the people of Blackpool as 'absolute m********s' while there for last year's Strictly live show.
Now, amid news of his return to EastEnders next month, disability charity Scope has called for Borthwick, 31, to undergo 'awareness training.'
The charity's Dr Shani Dhanda, an EastEnders fan, said: 'What shocked me most about this story is the character Jamie plays in the show often appears alongside another character called Janet who has Down syndrome.
'His character was even her stepdad at one point.
'He didn't say the word directly to a disabled person, but even still language is so important.'
Meanwhile, the quick return also sparked outrage in Blackpool.
Paul Galley, leader of Blackpool Council's Tories, said 'I am today publicly inviting Jamie to return to Blackpool with me — to meet members of our community, hear first-hand how his words caused hurt, and apologise in person.
'The BBC lifting his suspension without any visible act of contrition beyond a statement sends a worrying message celebrities can offend, apologise, and carry on without real consequence.'
A BBC spokesperson said: 'Whilst we do not comment on any individual matter, each case is always considered on its own facts.
'We are very clear on our expectations that inappropriate behaviour and language will not be tolerated.'
Borthwick's Enders return comes just two weeks after was seen out ready to head to an Oasis gig with his co-star Natalie Cassidy, above.
He apologised over the incident in June, claiming he did 'not fully understand' the term he had used.
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The actor was spotted attending an Oasis concert during his recent suspension
Credit: Eroteme
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He was joined at the gig by EastEnders co-star Natalie Cassidy
Credit: ISO
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