Jamie Borthwick has been axed from EastEnders after nearly 20 years on the show, following a suspension over a derogatory remark caught on video

Jamie Borthwick won’t be returning to EastEnders(Image: WireImage)

News of Jamie Borthwick being dropped from EastEnders has come as a shock to soap fans.

The 31-year-old actor has portrayed the character Jay Brown since 2006. On Saturday, The Mirror exclusively revealed that the BBC star will not be returning to Albert Square.

BBC Studios, the production company behind the soap, stated, “We can confirm that Jamie Borthwick will not be returning to EastEnders. We do not comment on individual matters.”

This announcement was unexpected, especially since earlier this month, it was reported that Jamie would be returning to the show just three months after being suspended for using a derogatory term about disabled people.

The suspension news broke in June, six months after Jamie appeared on Strictly Come Dancing. The incident reportedly occurred during the BBC dance show’s live episode filmed at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom as part of the 22nd series.

Jamie recently issued an apology after allegedly using a disabled slur on the Strictly set.(Image: PA)

Reports said Jamie was recorded using a derogatory word about disabled people to describe locals in Blackpool. The footage allegedly showed him using the term, which was then sent to one of his friends.

When the video surfaced, Jamie issued a statement that read: “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.”

Throughout his time on the show, Jamie Borthwick’s character has been involved in some major storylines, including the death of his father, Jase Dyer (played by Stephen Lord), and his relationship with Lola Pearce, who sadly passed away from cancer in May 2023.

Borthwick won the Best Actor award at the 2023 Inside Soap Awards, where the show also picked up Best Storyline for Loving and Losing Lola – which followed Lola Pearce-Brown’s brain tumour diagnosis.

The actor also won the 2023 Strictly Christmas special with Nancy Xu.

Jamie’s final episode on EastEnders aired on 19 August.