A well-known face is making his way back to EastEnders, and word’s already getting around. Jamie Borthwick, who first stepped into Jay Brown’s shoes back in 2006, is due to start filming again next month. Even so, not all the talk is about his return; plenty still remember the suspension he copped earlier this year, and it hasn’t faded from memory. Keep scrolling to know more.
EastEnders: Jamie’s Suspension And The Trouble That Sparked It
It all blew up back in June. It all started when a backstage clip from the Strictly Come Dancing Blackpool special in November began popping up online. In it, Jamie used an offensive term. Just a few seconds of phone footage, but it travelled fast and the BBC didn’t waste time stepping in.
Bosses made it clear that his words crossed the line. They said such language has no place on their shows. Jamie claimed he didn’t know the meaning back, admitting he is embarrassed and regrets it. Now, reports say he’ll be back on set soon. No one’s saying what was discussed, but campaigners want him to take extra disability awareness training.
The charity Scope has been especially outspoken. Dr Shani Dhanda pointed out that Jay has shared countless scenes with Janet, a character with Down syndrome, and even played her stepdad for a time. She reminded everyone that language matters, whether it’s aimed at someone or not.
Reactions, Demands, And A Cloud Over His Return
Paul Galley, Tory leader of Blackpool Council, didn’t hold back either. He’s invited Jamie to visit the town, speak to locals, hear directly how his words hurt, and apologise in person. Galley warned that lifting the suspension without some real, public act of remorse sends the wrong signal.
And this hasn’t been Jamie’s only headline this year. In April, a different backstage video from the Strictly live tour showed him messing around with a sex toy. That didn’t sit well with the bosses. Soon after, talk began that he’d cheated during filming and the tour. Whether walking back into Albert Square helps him do that or kicks off more drama, we’ll find out soon enough. For more EastEnders spoilers and updates, follow Soap Opera Daily.