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Long-time EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick has been axed from the soap after 19 years. The decision comes after the actor, best known for playing Jay Brown, was suspended earlier this year for using a disabled slur.
BBC bosses have now made the call to cut ties with the 30-year-old actor, who joined the show as a teenager and went on to become one of the Square’s most recognisable faces.
In a statement to The Mirror, 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.”
Borthwick first joined the show in 2006 as part of the Mitchell family storylines, with Jay Brown quickly becoming a fan favourite thanks to his friendship with Ben Mitchell and his turbulent relationships on Albert Square. Over the years, his character was at the centre of some of the soap’s biggest plots, including the deaths of his father Jase Dyer and stepmother Lola Pearce.
The decision to remove him from the show marks the end of nearly two decades on the BBC soap and has shocked loyal viewers who have grown up watching his character develop from a troubled teen into one of the show’s most complex young men.
It is understood that the controversy surrounding his suspension left producers with little option but to move forward without him. While there has been no detailed comment from the BBC about the exact circumstances, the nature of the incident and public reaction is believed to have played a key role in the final decision.
For the production team, the departure of a long-standing cast member is a major change, particularly as EastEnders has recently been enjoying a resurgence in ratings with gripping storylines and strong performances from its ensemble cast. Borthwick’s exit will now leave writers with the difficult task of tying up Jay Brown’s storylines in a way that satisfies long-time viewers while keeping the drama moving forward.
Fans have taken to social media to share their views, with some expressing disappointment that his time on the soap has ended in controversy rather than celebration. Others have praised the BBC for taking a firm stance on unacceptable behaviour, reflecting the broadcaster’s commitment to maintaining standards both on and off screen.
Borthwick has yet to make a public statement about his dismissal, but speculation is already growing about how the soap will handle his exit and whether his final scenes have already been filmed.
For a generation of viewers, Jay Brown has been a familiar face on the Square, and his departure is certain to leave a noticeable gap. Whether the character will be written out permanently or left open for a possible return in the future remains to be seen, but what is certain is that Jamie Borthwick’s long run on EastEnders has officially come to an end.
