EastEnders star suspended over 'unacceptable' language
EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick has been suspended by the BBC after using a slur against people with disabilities on the set of Strictly Come Dancing.
The offensive remark was made last November during filming for the BBC dance show's flagship Blackpool week, the Sun on Sunday reported.
The BBC said his language was 'entirely unacceptable and in no way reflects the values or standards we hold and expect'.
The newspaper said that Borthwick, who plays Jay Brown - a key long-running character on the soap - apologised for "any offence and upset".
BBC News has approached his representatives for a comment.
Disability charity Scope said Borthwick should reflect on what he said and educate himself.
"We hope he takes the opportunity to get to know the reality of disabled people's lives,' said the organisation's media manager Warren Kirwan.
Borthwick has been on EastEnders since 2006.
The 30-year-old took part in the latest series of Strictly, where he was paired with professional dancer Michelle Tsiakkas.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Bruce Springsteen joined by Paul McCartney at Liverpool concert
Singer Bruce Springsteen brought out a special guest at his show in Liverpool as he performed with local star Sir Paul McCartney. The American musician was joined on stage by the 82-year-old Beatles star during the second of two shows at Anfield stadium on Saturday, with Sir Paul then providing vocals as the pair played the band's Can't Buy Me Love. Springsteen, 75, and his E Street Band are in the UK as part of his Land of Hope and Dreams Tour, which kicked off with three shows in Manchester last month. Footage shared on social media showed the surprised crowd cheering loudly as Sir Paul was introduced, before he then playfully pointed at Springsteen and the pair shared an embrace. Before he left the stage after their performance, Sir Paul addressed the crowd and reportedly said: 'Thank you, Scousers.' The two men have previously performed together on several occasions, most notably when Sir Paul delivered a headline set at Glastonbury in 2022. Announced as a surprise all the way from the east coast of America, Springsteen joined Sir Paul, who became the festival's oldest solo headliner, as they played hits Glory Days and I Wanna Be Your Man on the Pyramid Stage. In 2012, Sir Paul had joined Springsteen on stage at the end of the singer's headline slot at Hard Rock Calling in Hyde Park, London, but both stars found their microphones cut off before they could address the crowds after exceeding the curfew. Beginning his career in the 1960s, Springsteen has gone on to have 12 UK top 10 albums and four UK top 10 singles and is best known for songs such as Born In The USA, Dancing In The Dark and Born To Run. His Land of Hope and Dreams Tour, which includes 16 dates across six European countries, will conclude in Milan, Italy, on July 3.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Morrissey halts Manchester homecoming show for surprise announcement
Manchester music icon Morrissey halted his huge sold out homecoming show at the Co-op Live Arena to make a surprise announcement this evening (June 7) The former Smiths' frontman is in the city as part of his ongoing world solo tour. And the huge Co-op Live gig represents his biggest ever homecoming show. But halfway through his performance on Saturday, Morrissey, 66, brought a halt to proceedings - announcing he needed to put the record straight with a surprise revelation. READ MORE: Discounts and a deserted car park - what's going on with the Trafford Centre's Premium Parking? READ MORE: Exact time the Red Arrows will fly over the North West this afternoon The Mancunian star said: "It's always stated that I was born in Davyhulme... I wasn't born in Davyhulme!" He then added with some exasperation: "Everybody says I was born in Davyhulme, it's terrible it's something I've got to bear forever through life like hot coals. "I wasn't born in Davyhulme, does anybody care?" He went on in answer to shouts from the audience: "Where was I born? I was born in a really scruffy place. Just kidding, Old Trafford." It prompted a chorus of boos, presumably due to the area's football connections. But before continuing the show Morrissey was quick to retort: "Oh you may boo, you may boo louder, you may boo even louder... I have a lovely pair of firm, solid, Labradors,." The singing star had earlier looked emotional as he walked out on stage to greet fans at the show. His first words to the crowd were "I'm here, my God I'm here". While Morrissey has now confirmed his birthplace, he has long been associated with Stretford where he spent many years of his youth before becoming a worldwide music star. His set including a host of his solo anthems including Everyday is Like Sunday as well as The Smiths classics How Soon Is Now, Shoplifters of the World Unite and Last Night I Dreamt Somebody Loved Me. --- Day in day out, our reporters in the Manchester Evening News newsroom bring you remarkable stories from all aspects of Mancunian life. However, with the pace of life these days, the frenetic news agenda and social media algorithms, you might not be getting a chance to read it. That's why every week our Features and Perspectives editor Rob Williams brings you Unmissable, highlighting the best of what we do - bringing it to you directly from us. Make sure you don't miss out, and see what else we have to offer, by clicking here and signing up for MEN Daily News. And be sure to join our politics writer Jo Timan every Sunday for his essential commentary on what matters most to you in Greater Manchester each week in our newsletter Due North. You can also sign up for that here. You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here to see everything we offer, including everything from breaking news to Coronation Street. If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here, and our news desk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you'll be the first to hear about it. And finally, if there is a story you think our journalists should be looking into, we want to hear from you. Email us on newsdesk@ or give us a ring on 0161 211 2920.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick suspended by BBC over 'unacceptable' language at Blackpool Strictly show
An actor known for playing Jay Brown in EastEnders has been suspended over the alleged use of a disabled slur on the Strictly Come Dancing set. Jamie Borthwick is said to have made the offensive remark on a phone video while the Strictly cast were at Blackpool Tower Ballroom last November. He is understood to have used the term to describe the people of Blackpool, the town where the show was being filmed, The Sun on Sunday first reported. READ MORE: Tom Jones shares heartbreaking words his wife told him before dying of cancer READ MORE: Jane McDonald says it's a 'good job' she didn't date James Martin after awkward encounter After being suspended from the BBC soap, a spokesperson for the corporation 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.
