Jay Brown will not be on Albert’s Square again as actor Jamie Borthwick has reportedly been ‘axed’ from EastEnders.
The exit comes four months after he was suspended from the long-running BBC soap for using a disabled slur.
He was caught on camera saying the derogatory phrase while describing the people of Blackpool when on the set of Strictly Come Dancing.
Borthwick had been on Albert’s Square since 2006, making him one of the longest-serving cast members still working on the show.
A spokesperson for BBC Studios confirmed to Metro that ‘Jamie Borthwick will not be returning to EastEnders’.
They added: ‘We do not comment on individual matters.’
At the time of the scandal, BBC bosses issued a statement, calling his comments ‘entirely unacceptable’.
‘We have robust processes in place for this,’ they added to Metro, declaring that what Jamie said ‘in no way reflects the values or standards [they] hold and expect at the BBC.’
Scope, a disability charity, also called for him to get ‘awareness training’ as the actor apologised ‘sincerely and wholeheartedly’.
He claimed he ‘did not fully understand the derogatory term’, adding now he was aware of the meaning he was ‘deeply embarrassed’.
‘When I made the video, I was excited and caught up in the moment,’ Borthwick said. ‘Again, that is no excuse. But my regrettable actions are not a true reflection of my views or who I am.’
The Sun reported last month that he could be heading back to Albert’s Square but the BBC declined to comment at the time.
A source has now told the outlet that while Borthwick is ‘well thought of’, ‘Jay hasn’t played a central role in the show for a while.’
‘The character hasn’t had a major storyline recently – he’s been very much a supporting character of late.’
They pointed out that the actor has kept busy outside of EastEnders, with his turn in Strictly and other projects, with only about 30 appearances in the past year.
‘With a new boss in Ben Wadey who only recently took the helm and with the scandal taking place so soon into his tenure feeling is that Jamie’s place on the show could be at serious risk,’ they continued.
Borthwick has not yet publicly spoken out about his exit from EastEnders.
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