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Jamie Borthwick Shares Somber Christmas Post After EastEnders Exit

His sombre Instagram update refocused attention on the BBC decision to keep him off EastEnders after a video captured him using a disability slur.

Overview

  • The 31-year-old posted a black-and-white selfie wearing a paper Christmas hat and wrote that he hopes for “a slightly better 2026.”
  • BBC Studios confirmed in September that he would not return to EastEnders, following an earlier suspension tied to footage from Strictly Come Dancing.
  • The BBC called the language used in the Strictly clip “entirely unacceptable” and said it did not reflect the corporation’s values.
  • Borthwick previously apologised, saying he did not fully understand the derogatory term’s meaning and that he was deeply embarrassed.
  • Disability charity Scope urged him to reflect and learn about disabled people’s lives as tabloid-reported backstage footage kept scrutiny high earlier in the year.