Jamie Borthwick, the longtime actor known for playing Jay Brown on EastEnders, is reportedly preparing to return to the BBC soap next month.
This news has sparked controversy, especially among disability campaigners who remain concerned about his recent suspension and the remarks that led to it.
The Incident That Led to Jamie’s Suspension
Back in June, Jamie, 31, was suspended by the BBC after a video surfaced showing him using a derogatory slur aimed at disabled people while backstage at Strictly Come Dancing.
The clip, obtained by The Sun on Sunday, captured Jamie using the term “m********s” to describe residents of Blackpool, where EastEnders was filming at the time.
The use of this offensive language shocked many, particularly because Jamie’s on-screen character often interacts closely with Janet, a character with Down syndrome, even acting as her stepfather at one point.
Disability Advocates Voice Their Concerns
Shani Dhanda, representing the disability charity Scope, expressed her disappointment to The Sun.
She highlighted the importance of language, especially given Jamie’s role alongside a disabled character on the show.
“Even though he didn’t say the word directly to a disabled person, language matters so much,” Dhanda said.
Meanwhile, Blackpool Council’s Conservative party leader called for Jamie to personally return to Blackpool and apologize for the hurt his words caused.
He also criticized the BBC for lifting the suspension without what he called a “visible act of contrition,” warning that it could send the wrong message about the consequences of offensive behavior.
BBC Responds to the Controversy
A BBC spokesperson declined to comment on the specifics but emphasized that every case is reviewed individually.
They reiterated the corporation’s firm stance against inappropriate behavior and language, saying, “We are very clear on our expectations that inappropriate behaviour and language will not be tolerated.”
Jamie’s representatives have yet to respond to requests for comment.
Jamie’s Public Response and Night Out After Suspension
In the weeks following the scandal, Jamie appeared to move on, joining his EastEnders co-stars for a night out at the Oasis reunion concert at Wembley.
His first Instagram post since the incident showed him enjoying the show alongside Tony Clay, Natalie Cassidy, and her partner Marc Humphreys.
The group fully embraced the Britpop vibe, sporting bucket hats and Oasis merchandise, with Jamie singing along to the band’s classics.
Questions Raised Over BBC’s Handling of Similar Incidents
The BBC is also facing criticism over its differing responses to Jamie’s case compared to that of MasterChef star John Torode.
Torode was reportedly dismissed after using the N-word twice while singing along to a Kanye West song.
This disparity has sparked questions about how the broadcaster handles offensive language across different contexts.
A source close to the matter told The Sun, “Both stars used unacceptable and offensive language, but only one was sacked while the other was just suspended and kept his salary.”
Disabled colleagues have reportedly expressed frustration, feeling that ableist slurs are not taken as seriously as racist language.
Jamie’s Apology and Reflection on the Incident
Jamie was reportedly backstage during rehearsals with Wynne Evans, who reacted with surprise when he heard the slur.
Since the video emerged, Jamie has apologized publicly, admitting he did not fully understand the hurtfulness of the word at the time but now feels “deeply embarrassed.”
Reports also revealed that Jamie told a former partner he was uncertain about his future on EastEnders and acknowledged “accepting the karma” from his mistakes.
He shared his commitment to “writing the wrongs” in his life and offered a sincere apology for the hurt he caused and how he handled the situation.