Jamie Borthwick Fired From EastEnders After 19 Years

Jamie Borthwick spent 19 years as Jay Brown on EastEnders, but a single off-camera slur on the set of Strictly Come Dancing ended it all. In September 2025, the BBC confirmed he would not return to Albert Square.

Years on EastEnders: 19 (2006–2025) ·
Age: 31 (born 23 June 1994) ·
Firing Date: September 2025 ·
Cause of Firing: Use of slur against disabled people on Strictly set ·
Instagram Handle: @jamie_b10

Six key facts about Jamie Borthwick, one pattern: a career built over two decades ended by a single incident.

Is Jamie Borthwick Coming Back to EastEnders?

What did the BBC announce about Jamie Borthwick’s future?

• BBC Studios confirmed to the Mirror: “We can confirm that Jamie Borthwick will not be returning to EastEnders.” (The Mirror (UK tabloid))
• The BBC suspended Borthwick earlier in 2025 after a video surfaced showing him using a disability-related slur on the Strictly set (ITV News (UK commercial broadcaster))

The suspension and subsequent firing are both final. BBC News published the exit report on 6 September 2025. There is no indication that Borthwick will be rehired.

Is there any chance Jamie Borthwick will return to EastEnders?

• BBC Studios’ statement is absolute: “will not be returning”. No return is planned.
• No official channel for a future return has been suggested by the BBC or EastEnders producers.

For now, the answer is a definitive no. The pattern is clear: a single off-camera incident ended a two-decade tenure with no path to reinstatement.

Why Was Jamie Borthwick Fired from EastEnders?

What slur did Jamie Borthwick use?

• During filming for Strictly’s Blackpool week in November 2024, Borthwick was recorded backstage using a disability-related or ableist slur aimed at people in Blackpool (ITV News (UK commercial broadcaster))
• Deadline described it as a “disability-related” slur (Deadline (entertainment trade publication))

The video was filmed on a phone at Blackpool Tower Ballroom, not during the live broadcast. Borthwick issued an apology: “I want to apologise sincerely and wholeheartedly for the words used in the video” (Deadline (entertainment trade publication)).

How did the BBC respond?

• The BBC said Borthwick’s language was “completely unacceptable and not reflective of the values or standards we uphold and expect” (BBC News (UK public broadcaster))
• They suspended him in June 2025, then in September 2025 confirmed he would not return to EastEnders.

The implication: the BBC treated the matter as a standards and conduct violation, not a criminal one. For a public broadcaster, the trade-off was clear — part ways with a long-serving actor to uphold workplace values.

What Was Jamie Borthwick’s Job in EastEnders?

Who is Jay Brown?

• Jay Brown is a fictional character on EastEnders, played by Jamie Borthwick since 2006 (BBC News (UK public broadcaster))
• He is the adopted son of Billy Mitchell and has been central to many storylines including grief, relationships, and crime.

Jay Brown became one of the show’s longest-running characters, and Borthwick’s performance earned a loyal fan base.

How long did Jamie Borthwick play Jay Brown?

• Borthwick portrayed Jay Brown from 2006 until his firing in September 2025 — a tenure of 19 years (IMDb (film database))

At 19 years, Borthwick was among the longest-serving cast members at the time of his exit. The pattern: a career-defining role that ended abruptly.

How Old Is Jamie Borthwick?

What is Jamie Borthwick’s date of birth?

• Jamie Borthwick was born on 23 June 1994 (IMDb (film database); also confirmed by What to Watch (TV listings magazine))
• As of his firing in September 2025, he was 31 years old (BBC News (UK public broadcaster))

Where was Jamie Borthwick born?

• Borthwick was born in Barking, London, England (TV Insider (US entertainment news))
• He describes himself as a “London boy born and bred” (Qvoice (voiceover agency))

The pattern: a young actor from Barking who built a career over two decades.

Does Jamie Borthwick Have an Instagram?

What is Jamie Borthwick’s Instagram handle?

• His Instagram handle is @jamie_b10 (Instagram)
• He has used the account to share personal updates, including marathon running for charity.

What does Jamie Borthwick post on Instagram?

• According to the content plan, he used Instagram to promote marathon running for prostate cancer charity.
• His posts have included behind-the-scenes EastEnders content and training updates.

The trade-off: social media gave fans a window into his life, but it also amplified the controversy when the slur video spread.

Timeline

Four key dates define Jamie Borthwick’s rise and fall, one pattern: a single year that reversed nearly two decades of work.

The timeline shows how a single year reversed nearly two decades of work.

“[The language used] was completely unacceptable and not reflective of the values or standards we uphold and expect.”

— BBC spokesperson, BBC News (UK public broadcaster)

“I want to apologise sincerely and wholeheartedly for the words used in the video.”

— Jamie Borthwick, via Deadline (entertainment trade publication)

“We can confirm that Jamie Borthwick will not be returning to EastEnders.”

— BBC Studios, as reported by The Mirror (UK tabloid)

For the BBC, the decision to part ways with Borthwick sends a clear signal about acceptable conduct on and off set. For Borthwick, the consequence is a career hiatus at age 31, with his return to acting uncertain.

Fans were stunned by the abrupt news of his controversial exit from the soap, which followed an incident on Strictly Come Dancing.

Frequently asked questions