The BBC has suspended one of its most familiar soap stars after he was heard using a slur against people with disabilities on a TV set, using the phrase to describe the people of Blackpool where he was filming.
BBC News reports that ‘EastEnders’ actor Jamie Borthwick made the remark in November during filming for Strictly Come Dancing (called Dancing with the Stars in many productions overseas), in which he was a contestant for last year’s series.
The BBC said his language was “entirely unacceptable in no no way reflects the values or standards we hold and expect.”
Borthwick has been in EastEnders since 2006, playing a central character called Jay Brown, and The Sun on Sunday newspaper reports that he has apologized for any “offence and upset.”
In his statement to The Sun on Sunday, Borthwick said: “I want to apologise sincerely and wholeheartedly for the words I used in the video showing my reaction to making it through Blackpool week on Strictly.”
He added: “It is no excuse, but I did not fully understand the derogatory term I used and its meaning.
“That is on me completely.
“Now I am aware, I am deeply embarrassed to have used the term and directed it in the way I did.”
Strictly Come Dancing has had a run of controversial incidents in the past year, including Borthwick’s fellow contestant last series Wynne Evans being overheard making a misogynistic remark about his dance partner. Evans has not had his BBC Radio Wales contract renewed, it was reported last week.
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