Jay Brown’s EastEnders exit has been explained in a blink and you’ll miss it scene, following actor Jamie Borthwick’s axing from the BBC soap.
The actor, who first appeared in the role in 2006, was suspended from the show earlier this year for using a disabled slur.
He was caught on camera using the derogatory phrase while describing the people of Blackpool when on the set of Strictly Come Dancing.
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.’
Four months after his suspension, it was announced that Jamie would not be returning to EastEnders at all.
‘Jamie Borthwick will not be returning to EastEnders,’ a spokesperson for BBC Studios told Metro at the time.
They added: ‘We do not comment on individual matters.’
Now, character Jay’s absence has been explained on screen in a small scene between Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) and Peter Beale (Thomas Law).
Lauren worked for Jay at the car lot, which is where Peter found her in yesterday’s episode to deliver some bad news.
As he explained that son Louie’s birthday present still hadn’t arrived, Lauren freaked out, pointing out that they were having guests round for the party and they couldn’t expect him not to open anything.
She realised that one of them would need to go shopping to get him something, but when Peter explained that he couldn’t take any more time off work, Lauren pointed out that she was alone at the car lot.
It was then that she explained Jay’s absence, revealing that his grandad was sick and he had gone to look after him.
Jamie Borthwick has not yet publicly spoken out about his exit from EastEnders.
