Former EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick cut a glum figure as he shared a new year message with his followers months after being axed from the long-running BBC soap
It’s been a year to forget for Jamie Borthwick, and now the actor has shared a sad Christmas message. Months after being let go by EastEnders producers, Jamie, 31, has uploaded a sombre looking image and message.
He had played the part of Jay on the BBC soap since 2006. However, following a fallout amid Strictly chaos, Jamie found himself suspended by the soap. Three months later, he was axed, losing his role in September this year.
Now, in a rare social media update, Jamie has tried to look on the positive side of things – even if his picture appears to portray a different message. Taking to Instagram, he shared a picture of himself looking glum while wearing a paper Christmas hat.
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The black-and-white image was accompanied with the words: “Wishing everybody a very merry Christmas and let’s hope for a slightly better 2026 for us all xx.” He added a peering face emoji and an emoji of a face giggling.
Jamie has largely remained off social media since his axing from the long-running soap. He had been suspended following footage being revealed in which he used a severely derogatory term.
He was heard using the offensive term for people with disabilities to describe Blackpool residents while filming Strictly in the seaside town. The BBC said at the time that his language, caught in a clip on a phone, was “entirely unacceptable and in no way reflects the values or standards we hold and expect”.
At the time, BBC Studios, which makes the soap, said: “We can confirm that Jamie Borthwick will not be returning to EastEnders. We do not comment on individual matters.”
Disability charity Scope said that Jamie should reflect on what he had said and urged him to educate himself. It added: “We hope he takes the opportunity to get to know the reality of disabled people’s lives.”
The star, who had played funeral home manager Jay Brown, was spotted after the decision looking downcast and unshaven. It is understood he was only told about the bosses’ decision days before news broke.
He had reportedly been set to return to set to recommence filming after the suspension. However, he was instead shown the door. with the BBC saying: “We are very clear on our expectations that inappropriate behaviour and language will not be tolerated.”
In June, Jamie said: “I am deeply sorry for any offence and upset my words and actions have caused. It is no excuse, but I did not fully understand the derogatory term I used and its meaning.
“That is on me completely. Now I am aware, I am deeply embarrassed to have used the term and directed it in the way I did. It was wrong.”
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