Jamie Borthwick’s Strictly Scandal: BBC Responds to Disability Slur
The world of British television just got shaken up—again. This time, it’s Jamie Borthwick, one of EastEnders’ most familiar faces, who’s landed in hot water. The BBC has suspended the actor after a video made the rounds, showing him using a slur aimed at disabled people right in the heart of the Strictly Come Dancing set in Blackpool.
The drama started when a phone video from November 2023 resurfaced, recorded during the much-loved Blackpool week for Strictly. Fans and crew were enjoying the glitz at Blackpool Tower Ballroom, but all eyes—and soon, media headlines—turned when footage showed Borthwick blurting out an offensive word. The Sun on Sunday was first to publish the story, making it hard for viewers, colleagues, and campaigners to ignore.
Jamie Borthwick has played Jay Brown on EastEnders since he was a teenager, growing up on screen and winning over fans. But this time, no soap storyline could have prepared him. After the video hit social media and newsstands, Borthwick didn’t run from the fallout. He admitted fault, issuing a public apology and saying he felt “deeply embarrassed.” His main defense? He claimed he didn’t know the word was derogatory at the time, a claim that’s done little to soften criticism from disability rights groups and the wider public.
Backlash from Disability Advocates and Industry Controversy
The BBC didn’t waste time distancing itself from the incident. In a firm statement, the broadcaster said the language was “entirely unacceptable” and emphasized that such comments don’t match the BBC’s values—making it clear they wouldn’t look the other way. The suspension isn’t just about policy; it sends a message across the entire UK entertainment industry.
The impact reached beyond the BBC. Scope, a respected disability equality charity, condemned the term as “ignorant and hurtful.” Their response wasn’t just about one TV star’s slip—it grew into a larger conversation about how words can shape opportunities and attitudes for disabled people anywhere in society. Paul Galley, head of Blackpool’s Conservative council, echoed the criticism and described the comment as “horrible,” highlighting how offhand slurs can cast shadows across entire communities.
Borthwick’s career had been on an upward curve. Alongside his steady EastEnders role since 2006, he shone in Strictly's 2023 Christmas Special and nabbed some Inside Soap awards. But this setback overshadows his past successes. Now, the decision is out of his hands—and his future with the BBC hangs in the balance.
This isn’t the only Strictly Come Dancing controversy in recent months. Not long before, Wynne Evans, a former contestant and BBC Radio Wales presenter, left his post after a similar incident involving offensive language during the Strictly tour. Both cases point to a growing spotlight on what’s said behind the scenes of the UK’s favorite TV shows—and show that cameras, and microphones, really do catch everything.
For now, Strictly and EastEnders fans alike are left watching how the story unfolds. The push from advocacy groups, the BBC’s tough stance, and the reaction from public figures all suggest the conversation about language, respect, and representation isn’t fading from the spotlight anytime soon. BBC execs will be pondering what comes next for Borthwick—and what today’s media storm means for tomorrow’s TV stars.
