Jamie Borthwick was axed from EastEnders this week after 19 years after he was suspended for using an ableist slur.

The 31-year-old soap star, known for his long-standing role as Jay Brown, faced suspension earlier this year following an incident where he was recorded using a derogatory term during his stint on Strictly Come Dancing 2024.

Before his sacking from EastEnders, Jamie was one of the show’s longest-serving actors still on the books.

He joined the show in 2006 as a young child and has been a permanent fixture in Walford up until his suspension. 

In 2008, he was awarded a British Soap Award for Best Dramatic Performance from a Young Actor, and he later received the Best Actor award at the Inside Soap Awards in 2023.

But the video of him using the slur wasn’t the actor’s only controversy in recent months.

From allegations of infidelity by former partners to a surprising sex toy scandal involving his Strictly co-star Wynne Evans, we examine the controversies that contributed to the actor’s career troubles.

Jamie Borthwick (pictured) was axed from EastEnders this week after 19 years after he was suspended for using a disabled slur

The 31-year-old soap actor was suspended for being caught on video using inappropriate language during his participation in Strictly Come Dancing 2024.

Allegations of infidelity and a sex toy scandal involving his Strictly co-star Wynne Evans (pictured, left) are among the factors that led to his professional setbacks.

Offensive slur 

A video released by The Sun on Sunday captured Jamie using an offensive term to refer to residents of Blackpool, where the show was being filmed at the time.

The Sun reported back in July that the actor would be returning to work after a three-month suspension, despite calls at the time for him to undergo ‘awareness training’. 

But on Friday, it was revealed Jamie had been sensationally axed from the BBC show after 19 years. 

In a statement, a spokesperson for BBC Studios said: ‘We can confirm that Jamie Borthwick will not be returning to EastEnders. We do not comment on individual matters.’ 

He was reportedly backstage during rehearsals with Wynne Evans, who could be heard saying ‘Oh my God’ when he made the remark.

Shani Dhanda from disability charity Scope told the publication at the time: ‘What shocked me most about this story is the character Jamie plays in the show often appears alongside another character called Janet who has Down syndrome.

‘His character was even her stepdad at one point. He didn’t say the word directly to a disabled person, but even still language is so important.’

A video obtained by The Sun on Sunday showed Jamie (Seen in 2023) sing the term ‘m********s’ to describe residents of Blackpool where the show was being filmed at the time 

Paul Galley, the leader of Blackpool Council’s Conservative party, called on the actor to return to the city and ‘apologise in person’ for the hurt his words had caused. 

He said: ‘The BBC lifting his suspension without any visible act of contrition beyond a statement sends a worrying message [that] celebrities can offend, apologise, and carry on without real consequence.’

A BBC spokesperson said: ‘Whilst we do not comment on any individual matter, each case is always considered on its own facts. We are very clear on our expectations that inappropriate behaviour and language will not be tolerated.’

Jamie did issue an apology at the time, sharing that he did not fully understand the derogatory nature of the term he used but now that he is aware, he is ‘deeply embarrassed’.

He said: ‘I want to apologise sincerely and wholeheartedly for the words I used in the video showing my reaction to making it through Blackpool week on Strictly.

‘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.’ 

Cheating allegations 

Jamie was again embroiled in controversy back in May following rumours he ‘cheated on his two ex lovers with a third woman’.

The soap star was hit by accusations of infidelity from two women.

He was in a relationship with Chloe Strand from March last year, but she recently learned he was also seeing another woman from around August.  

Later, it emerged a third woman, model Jordan Dwyer, came forward and shared that Jamie ‘sold her a lie for more than six months’.  

He targeted the Ocean Beach worker, 25, after spotting her on the social media accounts of the Ibiza VIP club. 

But after discovering Jamie was stringing her along at the same time as two other women, according to The Sun, Jordan told a friend: ‘It has been a genuine heartbreak for me.

Jamie’s ex-girlfriend Chloe accused the star of cheating on her during his time on Strictly last year and on the subsequent live tour (seen on the show with pro partner Michelle Tsiakkas)

It recently emerged a third woman, model Jordan Dwyer, came forward and shared that Jamie ‘sold her a lie for more than six months’

‘I don’t think he’s realised what he’s done. He thinks it’s fun and games telling a girl you really like her, and see a future with her. He made me dream of a life together.’

Meanwhile, Jamie’s ex-girlfriend Chloe has accused the star of cheating on her during his time on Strictly last year and on the subsequent live tour.

She claimed she discovered his alleged infidelity after her pal had dinner with the other woman Jamie was seeing earlier this month and she confirmed she had got back with the star ‘exclusively’ last August.

Chloe’s friend told The Sun that she said: ‘Jamie is devious and deceptive. He told me he loved me and he was planning our future.’ 

Believing she would have a future with Jamie, she revealed she had met his friends, his Strictly pals and had chatted with his parents, and he had even given her keys to his new property.

Jamie had reportedly told Chloe he wanted to set up a home with her, but at the same time he was taking the other woman away on holiday.

Revealing he had promised to take her away at the end of March, she was shocked when he cancelled with the excuse that he was off on a lads’ holiday instead.

But she has since found out he allegedly went to Amsterdam for a romantic break with the other woman.

Sex toy video 

In another Strictly-related controversy, Jamie found himself in hot water after he and Wynne were reportedly reprimanded by BBC bosses over a shocking sex toy video. 

In footage obtained by The Sun on Sunday in April, the two stars were filmed backstage after the opera singer sent a sex toy to the EastEnders star.

Filmed just two days after Wynne was recorded making a vile sexual comment to Jamie about pro dancer Janette Manrara, the video sees Jamie claiming the toy was sent to Birmingham’s Utilita Arena reception by Wynne. 

The actor smiles as he holds up the rubber toy, then points the camera at Wynne who is seen shirtless as he practises with professional dancer Neil Jones.

Jamie says: ‘Look at what he bought me. I opened it up and he surprised me with this, didn’t he. It’s so funny.’

In footage obtained by The Sun on Sunday in April, the two stars were filmed backstage after the opera singer sent a sex toy to the EastEnders star

He reportedly shared the offensive clip on the Strictly contestant Whatsapp group. 

A source told The Sun: ‘As soon as BBC executives were made aware of this shocking and immature footage being shared they formally addressed the issue and reminded the pair they had to act professionally.

‘The men were acting extremely immaturely and inappropriately, considering it was a family show, and many cast members didn’t share their crass sense of humour.

‘Bosses were horrified and shocked, hoping to nip the issue in the bud, unaware the video had been shared more widely.’