logo
‘EastEnders' star suspended by BBC after using slur against disabled people on ‘Strictly' set

‘EastEnders' star suspended by BBC after using slur against disabled people on ‘Strictly' set

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.
Borthwick is said to have made the offensive remark in 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.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

AJ Pritchard's fiance flashes HUGE engagement ring three months after proposal
AJ Pritchard's fiance flashes HUGE engagement ring three months after proposal

The Irish Sun

time5 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

AJ Pritchard's fiance flashes HUGE engagement ring three months after proposal

STRICTLY star AJ Pritchard's fiancée Zara Zoffany has sent fans into a frenzy after flashing a HUGE diamond ring. The model, 30, showed off the dazzling rock on social media - three months after AJ's 6 AJ Pritchard got engaged to his model girlfriend Zara Zoffany after two years of dating Credit: Instagram 6 The Strictly pro got down on one knee in Hyde Park to pop the question Credit: Instagram 6 Zara flaunted the ring on social media as they start to plan the wedding Credit: Instagram The brunette beauty flaunted the sparkling rock as she shared snaps on Instagram in a glammed up photoshoot. AJ, 29, looked just as smitten, keeping close to his bride-to-be as they celebrated the milestone in style. Zara looked stunning in a satin backless dress with a plunge neckline in a gorgeous lemon yellow colour. With a slick back ponytail, the model completed her ensemble with a pair of heels and silver jewellery. more on aj pritchard While her fiancé wore a matching linen shirt in the same colour, white trousers and tinted sunglasses. The TV personality captioned the post: "Somehow, you reached a part of my soul I didn't know was waiting for you. Blink, I can't wait to spend forever loving you." AJ shared the romantic moment of his proposal to girlfriend Zara in March. The former Strictly dancer surprised his partner while they were doing a dance routine in Hyde Park. Most read in Celebrity After revealing the ring, AJ then proceeded to ask: "Zara, will you marry me?" Visibly shocked, Zara replied: "You're lying. You're actually lying", while saying: "What's going on?" Watch the awkward moment mortified This Morning star announces Strictly's AJ Pritchard 'secret' engagement An emotional AJ told her: "I love you so much and it's just... I can't even get my words out. I had a whole thing planned in my head." The couple have dated for two years before AJ popped the question. A few days later, they celebrated Zara wore a busty red top and a white mini skirt with matching knee boots. She posted a photo to her Instagram stories of her left hand with a dazzling diamond ring with a caption reading: "MISS ENGAGED @zarazoffany." Fans are convinced the wedding is just around the corner, with the couple dropping cryptic hints about a glamorous big day. But will it be a star-studded affair or an intimate romantic getaway? AJ and Zara first crossed paths while filming Channel 5's The Challenge in 2022. The reality show brought them together, and sparks flew quickly. Their romance became public soon after, with AJ confirming their relationship during a shopping trip in London, where they were spotted sharing a kiss. 6 AJ popped the question during a stroll in Hype Park Credit: aj11ace/Instagram 6 Zara showed off her ring on her 30th Birthday bash Credit: Instagram 6 AJ and Zara dated for two years after meeting on The Challenge Credit: Getty

EastEnders favourite kicked out by partner in fiery argument as ‘cheating' exposed
EastEnders favourite kicked out by partner in fiery argument as ‘cheating' exposed

The Irish Sun

time5 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

EastEnders favourite kicked out by partner in fiery argument as ‘cheating' exposed

AN EastEnders favourite has been kicked out in a fiery row after his 'cheating' was exposed. The BBC soap is no stranger to showing dramatic love lives in Albert Square. 4 Elaine Knight was furious - as a secret husband George kept came to light Credit: BBC 4 George tried to explain himself - but Elaine wasn't having it Credit: BBC 4 Elaine kicked George out - and was left in tears afterwards Credit: BBC George Knight (Colin Salmon) faced the wrath of wife Elaine (Harriet Thorpe) after a secret came to light. Up until now, Elaine believed George had been at a boxing match on Christmas Day - which explained blood being on him. The pub landlord had actually visited Junior's mother Sabrina - and kept it from Elaine. Read more on EastEnders He'd hoped to uncover the reasons behind Junior's behaviour - such as It particularly stung for Elaine, having gotten past George hiding that he was helping Cindy with new venture The Albert. Behind closed doors, he tried to explain himself - but Elaine wasn't having any of it. "You expect me to believe she just threw herself at you?" Elaine said, before adding: "You must think I came down in the last rainfall." Most read in Soaps George insisted he'd only visited to talk, but Sabrina misread the situation and tried to kiss him. He claimed the bleeding came when he pulled away and Sabrina slapped him - catching his nose. Watch the moment bitter EastEnders rivals come to blows after months of tension Elaine was furious at George not only for lying, but also roping Gina (Francesca Henry) and Kojo (Dayo Koleosho). George reiterated that he loved Elaine, but she said: "But you don't trust me. "Because if you trusted me, you would've come home that night and told me everything. You would've trusted that I would've believed you. "You would've trusted that I'd have been by your side - like I have every single time." Best soap affair love triangles LOVE triangles are a fundamental part of soap-land, but which ones have become the most iconic? EASTENDERS Bradley/Stacey/Max: Stacey Slater began an affair with boyfriend Bradley Branning's dad Max in 2007. Despite their romps, Stacey still married Bradley, but their deceit came out in an iconic Christmas Day episode that year. Grant/Sharon/Phil: Heading even further back in Walford history, EastEnders fans were gripped in the 90s as Sharon Watts had a one-night stand with her brother-in-law Phil Mitchell. Sharon confided in best friend Michelle Fowler - not realising it was caught on tape - and her husband Grant eventually found out and played it in front of everyone at the Queen Vic. Syed/Amira/Christian : Syed Masood was engaged to Amira before realising he had feelings for another man, Christian, which he confessed to him on his wedding day. A devout Muslim, Syed refused to admit his true sexuality and went ahead and married Amira anyway, but when they returned, the two men started an affair before being caught in the act by Amira. CORONATION STREET Shelley/Peter/Lucy: Peter Barlow took the concept of a love triangle and ran with it in Coronation Street - extending it to bigamy. He was in a relationship with Shelley Unwin but started dating Lucy Richards, and quickly married her after she fell pregnant with his son, Simon. But it didn't stop him also marrying Shelley, but he was eventually caught when Lucy turned up in Weatherfield and the two women confronted him. Ken/Deidre/Mike: Back in 1982, Deirdre Barlow started sleeping with her husband's nemesis Mike Baldwin in secret, before confessing all a year later. When Mike turned up at the marital home, Deirdre was being throttled by her husband who then kicked her out, but years later they reconciled. Maria/Aidan/Eva : In 2017, Aidan Connor started sleeping with girlfriend Eva Price's best friend, Maria Connor. Eva eventually found out and she decided to take revenge by faking a pregnancy, spending his money and planned to confront him on their wedding day. But she had a change of heart when a remorseful Aidan confessed, and decided to marry him anyway, only for Maria to arrive and expose her fake pregnancy. EMMERDALE Ross/Debbie/Pete: Debbie Dingle found herself torn between two brothers, Ross and Pete Barton in 2015 in Emmerdale. She eventually decided to marry Pete but yet again, a soap wedding day was ruined when the groom learned of his bride's betrayal via a recording played at the wedding. Chrissie/Robert/Aaron: Robert Sugden was married to Chrissie White and all seemed well - until he began a steamy affair with Aaron Dingle. Robert's ex Katie Sugden almost exposed the affair - but fell to her death before she had the chance. However, a guilty Aaron eventually cracked and told Chrissie about the affair - after which she announced it to the whole pub. Elaine ultimately asked George to leave - saying she didn't think he loved her enough. When he continued to try and smooth things over, Elaine threw a glass at the wall and screamed: "Get out!" After a pep talk from Linda (Kellie Bright) and Johnny (Charlie Suff), Elaine went to find George - only to be left heartbroken by seeing him comforting an upset Cindy. EastEnders airs on BBC One and iPlayer. 4 Will Elaine forgive her husband? Credit: BBC

Two award winning Brit actors announced for new Harry Potter TV show as Rivals and Ripley stars join cast
Two award winning Brit actors announced for new Harry Potter TV show as Rivals and Ripley stars join cast

The Irish Sun

time10 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

Two award winning Brit actors announced for new Harry Potter TV show as Rivals and Ripley stars join cast

THREE award-winning Brit actors have been announced for the new Harry Potter TV show. From HBO, the upcoming series will adapt JK Rowling's novels for a new generation. 7 BAFTA winner Katherine Parkinson will play Molly Weasley in the Harry Potter TV show Credit: Getty 7 Fellow BAFTA winner Daniel Rigby is set as Uncle Vernon Credit: Getty 7 Bel Powley has also joined the show's cast Credit: AP 7 Johnny Fynn has been cast in a major role Credit: AP Several new cast members have now been officially confirmed to join the Wizarding World. Among them is The actress, 47, is a BAFTA winner for her role as Jen in hit sitcom The IT Crowd. Viewers may have more recently seen Katherine as Lizzie Vereker in raunchy Disney+ series Rivals. Read more on Harry Potter Fellow BAFTA winner Daniel Rigby, 42, is set to play Harry's Muggle uncle Vernon Dursley, He won a BAFTA for playing Eric Morecambe in 2011 BBC film Eric and Ernie. Also joining the cast is Bel Powley in the role of Harry's biological aunt, Petunia Dursley. Her past credits include a main role on The Morning Show, opposite Jennifer Aniston and Most read in News TV Lox Pratt, star of the BBC 's upcoming Lord of the Flies, will be playing Harry's school rival Draco Malfoy. Meanwhile, actor Johnny Flynn, 42, will take on the role of Draco's father, Lucius Malfoy. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) Official Trailer He has played real-life figures such as David Bowie and a young Nicholas Winton. Johnny also worked with predecessor Jason Isaacs in 2021 film Operation Mincemeat. Three of Harry's classmates have also been cast - Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan, Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil, and Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown. Rounding out these announcements Last month, the three screen newcomers playing Harry, Ron and Hermione Dominic McLaughlin is set to star as Harry, with Alastair Stout as Ron and Arabella Stanton as Hermione. Harry Potter author JK, 59 - who will also serve as executive producer of the TV series - had her say on the young trio. Writing on social media after the news broke, she said: 'All three are wonderful. I couldn't be happier.' Several major adult roles were already confirmed, including John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore. How to spot a rare Harry Potter book AS JK Rowling's popularity has rocketed, so has the value of the first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. If you think you might have one, then first look to see if Bloomsbury is listed as the publisher on the title page at the bottom. The copy should be a first edition - which will be noted within the first few pages. The latest date listed in the copyright information must by 1997. It should be credited to "Joanne Rowling" and not "J.K Rowling" and carry a print line that reads " 1 0 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1" on the copyright page. There is a mistake on page 53 where '1 wand' appears twice in the list of school supplies Harry receives from Hogwarts, which was corrected in later print runs. For the other titles in the Harry Potter series, it is only the first hardback editions with the dust jacket that have any collectable value. The show will also feature Janet McTeer as McGonagall, Speaking at the time, showrunner Francesca Gardiner said: "We are happy to announce the casting of John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, Paapa Essiedu, Nick Frost , Luke Thallon and Paul Whitehouse to play Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Hagrid, Quirrell and Filch." Mark Mylod, who will executive produce and direct multiple episodes of the series for HBO , added: 'We're delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard, and we can't wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life.' The series is also executive produced by JK Rowling , Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films. 7 Bertie Carvel is the new Cornelius Fudge Credit: PA 7 The show's three young leads were confirmed last month Credit: AP 7 Author JK Rowling will serve as an executive producer Credit: Getty

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store