Strictly Come Dancing has a reputation for impacting individuals’ careers, and it seems that the “Strictly curse” has affected Jamie Borthwick both personally and professionally. The 31-year-old participated in the BBC One show last year, finishing in seventh place, but since then, his career has taken a downward turn due to various controversies.
Borthwick gained fame in 2006 for his role as Jay Brown on EastEnders, a role he has maintained to this day, making him one of the show’s longest-serving cast members in his age group. However, recent events have led to his abrupt departure from the soap opera after 19 years.
One of the incidents that contributed to his downfall was a scandal involving a sex toy, where he was filmed with the item during the Strictly tour, leading to his breakup with his then-girlfriend Chloe. Shortly after their split, allegations surfaced that Borthwick was involved with another woman while still in a relationship with Chloe.
Moreover, a third woman named Jordan Dwyer claimed she was also in a relationship with Borthwick and was unaware of his involvement with other women. Additionally, Borthwick faced backlash for using derogatory language toward disabled individuals during his time on Strictly Come Dancing, prompting an apology for his offensive remarks.
Following his suspension from EastEnders due to his behavior, it was confirmed that Borthwick would not be returning to the show. BBC Studios, the production company behind EastEnders, announced his permanent departure, stating that they do not comment on individual matters.
As Borthwick copes with the aftermath of these controversies, fans remember his character Jay’s significant storylines on EastEnders, including the loss of his father and the emotional arc with Billy Mitchell. Despite his character’s impactful narrative, Borthwick’s off-screen actions have led to his exit from the long-running show.