Latest news with #Scope
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
‘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.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Glum Jamie Borthwick breaks cover after BBC suspension over derogatory slur
EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick has been suspended by BBC after using a derogatory word to describe locals in Blackpool - which is also regarded as a disabled slur Jamie Borthwick has been seen for the first time since he was suspended by the BBC for using a disabled slur on the set of Strictly Come Dancing. The 30-year-old EastEnders star is said to have made the offensive remark while the Strictly cast were at Blackpool Tower Ballroom last November. It has been reported the actor - who plays Jay Brown in the BBC soap - was filmed using the derogatory word to describe locals in Blackpool, where the BBC show films a glitzy live episode before the finals. The word he used is also a derogatory term regarded as a disabled slur. The footage is then said to been sent to one of his pals. The actor has since issued a grovelling apology, saying: "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. 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." But it seems the apology was too little, too late as Jamie was suspended by the BBC once it came to light. Explaining why, 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." Wynne Evans axed by BBC after Strictly scandal as he shares emotional statement Warren Kirwan, media manager at disability equality charity Scope, blasted the language used and 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." Breaking cover for the first time since his suspension was announced, Jamie looked downcast as he was spotted running errands near his home earlier today. In the pictures obtained by The Sun, the star sported a blue and green striped T-shirt, grey shorts and trainers as he made his way to his car. An onlooker reportedly said: "He looked like a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders, which isn't surprising given the hot water he is in right now." And it's not the first Strictly scandal Jamie has been involved with since appearing on the show. Footage reportedly emerged of him brandishing a sex toy sent to him by celebrity co-star Go Compare opera singer Wynne Evans, who has also found himself under fire for his behaviour on Strictly. The inappropriate video was said to have been shared in a messaging group with other Strictly stars, who it is suggested did not expect nor want to be included in an exchange that had a sexual connotation. The clip is thought to have been filmed just two days after Wynne was recorded making a sexualised comment about pro dancer Janette Manrara. Wynne, who was a BBC Radio Wales presenter, has since been dropped by the BBC following an apology saying that he used "inappropriate language" during the launch of the Strictly Come Dancing tour. 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 a nickname for fellow contestant Jamie. 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. 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.'
Extra.ie
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
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.
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
EastEnders star suspended by BBC after disabled slur on Strictly set
The BBC has suspended EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick after using a disabled slur on the Strictly Come Dancing 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 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 the UK 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. Earlier this year, he apologised for language that he called "inappropriate and unacceptable" after it was 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 Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
EastEnders star suspended by BBC after disabled slur
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.
