EastEnders' Jay Brown's exit finally airs weeks after Jamie Borthwick's sacking

Jay Brown's exit has finally been confirmed on EastEnders. In recent weeks, fans have been speculating about where the businessman may be as his character has not been seen on screens or mentioned, despite a string of characters he is based with taking centre stage.

The Mirror revealed earlier this month that after almost two decades on the BBC soap opera, actor Jamie Borthwick, 31, had been axed from the role of Jay. Jamie, from Barking, east London, had been one of the longest-serving actors on the soap and featured in dozens of high-profile storylines, including the death of his onscreen wife, Lola Pearce.

But the character Jay mysteriously vanished, with his final appearance airing on August 19, when he was seen talking about Nigel's chicken. Just moments after, Jay was seen tying the laces of his step-daughter, Lexi Mitchell, on the streets.

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However, his final scene appears to have aired tonight, with Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Branning) explaining why Jay hasn't been on screen, and won't be for the foreseeable. During one scene between Lauren and her fiancée, Peter Beale (Thomas Law), they were discussing a birthday present for their son, Louis.

The couple explained that Louis' gift, a virtual reality headset, had not arrived in time, which would leave the child distraught. When the pair suggested that one of them should head out to buy a replacement present, Lauren explained she couldn't. And it also revealed the truth behind Jay's exit from the show.

Lauren said: "Jay, his grandad's got sick, so he's had to go and see him," revealing that the character was no longer part of the soap opera. Fans flocked to social media to discuss the awkward scene, with one writing: "OMG I don't even clock this was them explaining why Jay isn't around, since his exit was so abrupt."

"So that's how they've written Jay out then #eastenders," said a second. Meanwhile, a third added: "I thought he was being killed off!" Earlier this month, we revealed that he had been silently axed from the show.

BBC Studios, which makes the soap, told us: "We can confirm that Jamie Borthwick will not be returning to EastEnders. We do not comment on individual matters." It is understood he was only told just days before we revealed the news.

It came after he was suspended in June for using an offensive term for people with disabilities to describe Blackpool residents while filming Strictly in the seaside town. The BBC said at the time that his language, caught in a clip on a phone, was "entirely unacceptable and in no way reflects the values or standards we hold and expect".

Disability charity Scope said then that Jamie should reflect on what he had said and educate himself. It added: "We hope he takes the opportunity to get to know the reality of disabled people's lives."

Jamie was reportedly set to return to set this month to recommence filming after the suspension. The BBC did not comment on speculation at the time but said in a statement that “each case is always considered on its own facts”, adding: “We are very clear on our expectations that inappropriate behaviour and language will not be tolerated.”

But bosses have now shown the actor the door. Jamie, who joined the soap in 2006 and won a British Soap Award for best dramatic performance from a young actor at age 13 plus an Inside Soap Award for best actor, issued a public apology after making the slur.

He said in June: “I am deeply sorry for any offence and upset my words and actions have caused. 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. It was wrong.

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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