EastEnders star suspended by BBC over use of disabled slur
The offensive remark was reportedly made during a phone video while the cast was filming the Strictly 2023 special at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom in November. Borthwick allegedly used the slur when referring to the people of Blackpool. Jamie Borthwick. Pic: David Fisher/Shutterstock
In a statement, a BBC spokesperson said:
'This language is entirely unacceptable and in no way reflects the values or standards we hold and expect at the BBC. We have robust processes in place for this.'
Disability equality charity Scope also condemned the comment and a spokesperson said:
'Attitudes and language like this are never acceptable. It's not just ignorant and hurtful to disabled people, it has real-world consequences.
'Negative attitudes hold disabled people back in all areas of life, from employment to basic access. Jamie Borthwick. Pic: David Fisher/Shutterstock
'Mr Borthwick needs to reflect on what he said, educate himself, and do better.'
Borthwick won the Strictly 2023 Christmas special with partner Nancy Xu. He also earned the Best Actor award at the 2023 Inside Soap Awards for his work on EastEnders, particularly the emotional 'Loving and Losing Lola' storyline, in which his character coped with his wife Lola's brain tumour diagnosis and death.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
BBC Breakfast star heartbroken as she reveals death of her dad and says ‘I can't quite accept that it's real'
A BBC Breakfast star has revealed her heartbreak, as she revealed the death of her dad and said 'I can't quite accept that it's real.' news , alongside a black and white photo. Advertisement 4 A BBC Breakfast star has revealed her heartbreak, as she revealed the death of her dad and said 'I can't quite accept that it's real" Credit: Instagram 4 Nina took to social media to share her heartbreaking news, alongside a black and white photo Credit: BBC 4 Nina with her beloved dad Credit: Instagram/@ninawarhurst_ The photo saw her holding her dad's hand, as she described the final moments they'd shared together before his death. Nina, 44, wrote: 'My Dad died on Wednesday night 'From Sunday me, my Mum and sisters spent precious time with him around the clock….singing, crying, laughing, sharing memories 'On his last day we had nursing home afternoon tea, chippy chips and wine together. Advertisement Read More on Nina Warhurst 'He drifted away gently with me and Amy holding him and telling him to 'go head. We'll see you there soon.' And he did. I had my hand on his heart as the ripples softened and stopped. 'A gentle end to a gentle life. So much love and laughter and sunshine across days I'll never forget.' Nina went on: 'He is in my mind all the time now as we adjust to a world without him in it. I can't quite accept that's real yet. 'But we think it's really important for anyone going through this to know that the end can be peaceful and beautiful. Advertisement Most read in News TV 'Kim, Daniel, Anna, Moody, Charlotte, Clara, Eddie, Obi, Sarah, Kat, Michael, Colin, Dorothy, Helen, Gracie and all the care home staff and residents who welcomed us in to their world and made it our home for those days and nights we can't thank you enough ♥️♥️.' Watch the moment nina warhurst's mic stops working on her last day at bbc breakfast Nina was supported by her many followers and friends in the comments, as one person wrote: 'Oh Nina, I'm so sorry, sending so much love. But what a beautiful ending, that really is such a blessing.' A second person echoed: 'What beautiful words for a beautiful life. Sending love to you all, Nina x' And a third wrote: 'I'm so sorry Nina. Sending you and your family loads of love.' Advertisement Earlier this year, BBC Breakfast star Nina Warhurst business correspondent after landing a major new gig. The TV presenter had been working on the Beeb's morning offering since 2018 as their resident business reporter, but decided to step down from the role. Nina confirmed the news in a post on X - formerly Twitter - in which she simultaneously revealed her brand new position. The star joined the team on BBC News at One as the lead presenter, live from Salford. Advertisement Nina wrote online: "Hanging up the high-viz & hairnet as I join the BBC's News at One. "Our London team built a gem of a programme & it's a privilege to be on the Salford team taking it forward "The teenage me who lived half a mile from here & dreamed of journalism would NOT believe it." 4 Nina was supported by her many followers and friends in the comments Credit: Instagram Advertisement
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Emma Raducanu brings in record TV audience in Sabalenka Wimbledon loss as BBC viewing figures revealed
MORE than five million people tuned in to watch Emma Raducanu's incredible Wimbledon battle with Aryna Sabalenka on Friday night. Located in a prime time slot on BBC One, the match received the Beeb's third-highest ratings for any non-final contest in the last three years, and the most of the this tournament so far. 5 Emma Raducanu's battle with Aryna Sabalenka was watched by more than five million people Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The enthralling contest, which saw world No1 Raducanu's brilliant third round effort also received more than 1.2 million streaming requests on BBC iPlayer. The most watched non-final match of the last four years at Wimbledon was Raducanu's fourth round with Lulu Sun last year, which peaked at 5.47 million viewers. Second was Andy Murray's battle with John Isner back in 2022, which peaked at 5.34 million. READ MORE WIMBLEDON This year's tournament has already been a smash hit with viewers watching at home. Across the first five days of the tournament, the BBC received more than 31 million online streaming requests. This was a more than 50 per cent increase on last year's numbers. Raducanu's three matches drew incredible interest from British fans, with Friday night in particular played in front of a raucous Centre Court crowd. Most read in Tennis BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 5 Andy Murray's 2022 battle with John Isner was also a smash hit with viewers Credit: The Times 5 Raducanu was beaten by Lulu Sun in front of a huge TV audience last year Credit: The Times Fans have also been enamoured by matches involving fellow Brits Sonay Kartal and Carlos Alcaraz claims he 'will do whatever she wants me to do' in revealing Emma Raducanu interview after Wimbledon win The British No1 said: "It does give me confidence because I think the problem before was that I felt like I was gulfs away from the very top. "Having a match like that where I had chances in both sets, it does give me confidence. "At the same time, it's very difficult to take right now." After the match, Sabalenka tipped Raducanu to return to the top 10. 5 Wimbledon 2025 LIVE - Expanding on that assessment during her press conference, the Belarusian added: "I cannot predict anything, but I'm definitely sure that, maybe not in a month, but maybe a bit longer period, she's definitely going to get back to the top. "She's fighting. She's playing much better. She's more consistent. I can see that mentally she's healthy. I think that's really important. I'm pretty sure she's getting there. "About the atmosphere… sometimes my ears were really blocked from how loud it was, but I really enjoyed it. "I was trying to trick my brain, and I was pretending that people were cheering for me. Sometimes when they were screaming 'Emma', it sounded like Aryna." 5 Aryna Sabalenka tipped Raducanu to return to the top of the sport Credit: AP
Extra.ie
3 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Ryan Tubridy: ‘I love a good comeback story'
I love a good comeback story, and so it was with great happiness that I'm watching one writ large here in London, and at the centre of the tale is a 24-year-old Hollywood star who is the talk of the town. Just a few short months ago, Rachel Zegler was subjected to the most unmerciful pile-on (mostly by critics) for her part in the movie Snow White. She seemed to bother all sorts of people for a plethora of reasons from the get-go: She was the wrong colour; she supported the 'wrong' side in the Gaza conflict; she was too mouthy, etc. And yet she kept on going. Today's top videos STORY CONTINUES BELOW She was harassed and harangued from all quarters as the film tanked in the box office. A lot of people are involved in the making of a movie, and usually, the director or stars take the hit if the punters don't like it, but in this case, it wasn't her co-star, Gal Gadot, but rather Zegler herself. It was horrible to watch, and yet it's part of the modern narrative. Build them up, shoot 'em down. Now that we're all journalists, photographers and critics, the heat is intense. Rachel Zegler. Pic:) Which all brings us to the balcony outside London's esteemed Palladium Theatre, where a modern revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita is wowing audiences and receiving five-star reviews. At one point during the show, Zegler (as Evita) leaves the stage and makes her way onto a balcony where she sings the show's big number, Don't Cry For Me Argentina, to the general public outside! At first, the stunned passers-by had no idea what was happening, but since word got out, hundreds of people gather every night at around 9pm to witness this magnificent moment in musical history. While it has the feel of a stunt (it's got everyone talking), there is also a bit of a historical point to it as Eva Peron wants to leave the aristocracy behind and talk to the 'people', so in a way, it works. There's been some chatter as to how the ticket-payers inside feel about missing the key tune, but apparently, she sings it twice so nobody misses out. Rachel Zegler. Pic: James Veysey/Shutterstock (15383298w) The good news for Rachel Zegler is that she is being hailed, praised, lauded – whatever you want to call it, and while she has been shining for a few years already, there's a real sense that a star is born. It's a glorious comeback for a talented young woman. She's a survivor and a lesson to us all. As a postscript, some years ago, I came across Sinead O'Connor's version of 'Don't Cry for Me, Argentina' and played it on the radio, where it really struck a chord with listeners. It's a ghostly and ethereal interpretation of the song and one that the song's lyricist, Tim Rice, said was his favourite. Treat yourself to a listen; it's even more moving given that Sinead is no longer with us. Another bunch of young lads working hard in the music industry were busy last weekend. Inhaler are on the move, and God only knows what pressure Elijah Hewson, below, and the band must've felt when they heard that Paul McCartney was watching from the wings (no pun) at their Glastonbury turn. Elijah Hewson of Inhaler. Pic: Anthony Devlin/Hogan Media/Shutterstock (15369920da) But there he was, on the side of the stage as they did their thing. I can only assume he enjoyed it as he stayed for the whole set. The breakthrough Irish act appears to have been CMAT who is gaining serious traction over here. I heard her on BBC saying that it's taken years and years of hard graft to get here, and God loves a grafter, so good luck to her. Kneecap continues to attract headlines, but their Glastonbury set, while wildly successful, was pipped for controversy by Bob Vylan, whose comments and chants gobbled up all the media attention. Kudos to The Script for a reflective, emotional performance and Orla Gartland, whose star is on the rise here too. Ryan Tubridy and fiancée Clare. Pic: Michael Chester I was back in Dublin for my pal Joe Duffy's going-away party in The Duke pub, just off Grafton Street and while I've seen Joe and some great pals I used to work with many times in the past couple of years, I hadn't seen lots of my old comrades since my less than discreet departure from Montrose. Suffice to say that it was a warm and fun welcome with lots of hugs received and offered and old war stories retold over a few decent pints of Guinness. Everyone was so gracious and thoughtful around Clare, and it reminded me of why I enjoyed my time there and how much fun I had working with some wonderful programme-makers whom I thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with. There was plenty of chatter about what Joe might do next, but to divulge those conversations here would not be appropriate! Ryan Tubridy and Vittorio Angelone. Pic: File I had a most enjoyable chat with Belfast comedian Vittorio Angelone, below, last week. I was aware that he was doing well in the UK and hoped to have him on the radio show, which duly happened. He's a smart, witty guy with an astute eye for the absurd. We got talking about the peace process and how his generation (Gen Z) has been given the moniker 'Peace Babies', to which he responded that he was born in 1996 and the Good Friday Agreement was signed in 1998, so for two years, he was 'involved' – brilliant. The conversation covered a multitude, and I'm a fan. He has a tour coming in the autumn, so be sure to check him out.
