Jamie Borthwick, the actor from EastEnders, was recently spotted in London for a casual catch-up with his close friend, Max Bowden, following a scandal that’s taken over headlines.
The 32-year-old appeared visibly downcast as he made his way to the Southwark Playhouse in London, where Max is currently starring in the play Midnight Cowboy.
This marked his first public appearance since the controversy surrounding a shocking video involving a sex toy surfaced over the weekend.
Casual Look and Downcast Mood After the Scandal
For the occasion, Jamie opted for a laid-back look, wearing a grey t-shirt and chinos, as he walked through the streets of London.
This was a stark contrast to the drama that has unfolded in recent days, which centers on a video that’s left many fans and colleagues shocked.
The video, which reportedly emerged after Strictly Come Dancing filming, shows Jamie Borthwick and his co-star, opera singer Wynne Evans, engaging in what has been described as immature and inappropriate behavior.
The Video That Sparked the Controversy
The footage, which was obtained by The Sun, shows the two men backstage during last year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
In the video, Wynne is seen sending Jamie a sex toy, which was delivered to the reception at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena.
Jamie is caught smiling as he shows off the rubber toy while Wynne, seen shirtless, is practicing with pro dancer Neil Jones.
Jamie can be heard joking in the video, “Look at what he bought me.
I opened it up and he surprised me with this, didn’t he? It’s so funny.” This clip was reportedly shared in a Strictly contestant WhatsApp group, which only escalated the controversy.
BBC Bosses Address the Incident
As soon as BBC executives were made aware of the incident, they reportedly addressed the issue with both men, urging them to maintain professionalism, especially given that Strictly Come Dancing is a family show.
A source told The Sun that many of the cast members didn’t find the video funny, and that the behavior exhibited by Jamie and Wynne was deemed inappropriate for a show that’s watched by a wide audience.
The BBC was reportedly horrified by the footage and hoped to manage the issue before it could spread further.
Wynne Evans Faces Consequences for Previous Remarks
This latest scandal comes on the heels of another incident involving Wynne Evans.
Earlier, he was recorded making a crude sexual remark about his co-star, Janette Manrara, which was widely criticized.
He suggested an inappropriate threesome involving Janette, using a degrading term, and later apologized for the comment.
Despite the apology, Wynne was subsequently removed from the Strictly tour.
Jamie’s Support for Strictly and Appearances Amid the Drama
Despite the ongoing controversy, Jamie has continued to show support for the Strictly brand.
Just a few months ago, during the Strictly Live Tour’s final performance in February, he spoke passionately about the show’s importance, praising its impact and calling for its future to be protected.
He expressed his appreciation for the experience he had on the show, including his admiration for his co-stars, even as the drama surrounding Wynne Evans was still unfolding.
Jamie’s words were met with applause from the audience and the Strictly judges, but Craig Revel Horwood notably refrained from clapping.
In the end, Jamie went on to win the glitterball trophy on the final night of the live shows, a shining achievement despite the surrounding controversies.
Final Thoughts on the Scandal
As Jamie moves forward from this latest scandal, it remains to be seen how his public image will be affected by the video and the ongoing fallout.
While he continues to support Strictly, the backlash from this incident may linger, especially as new revelations about the behavior of his co-stars emerge.