EastEnders viewers have expressed outrage over the offscreen exit of Jay Brown, following the character's mention in Monday's episode (22 December). The BBC soap has explained Jay's absence by revealing he is staying with a new girlfriend, Elena, for Christmas, a decision that has left his stepdaughter Lexi Pearce devastated.
Jay, played by Jamie Borthwick, was axed from the show in September after the actor was suspended from Strictly Come Dancing for using an ableist slur. His final scene showed him quietly tying the laces of Lexi's shoes. Since then, it was said he had gone to care for his sick grandfather Bert.
In the latest episode, Lexi asked Callum Highway whether Jay would attend a screening of Nigel Bates' film. Callum told her Jay had chosen to spend Christmas with Elena instead, prompting fans to accuse the writers of a 'character assassination'. One viewer said: 'Even if they felt the need to fire the actor that's no reason to give the character a terrible and out of character offscreen exit.' Another added: 'They've really done Jay dirty, after all the promises he made to Lola about being Lexi's dad.'
Jay had fought to remain in Lexi's life after the death of her mother, Lola Pearce-Brown, in 2023 from brain cancer. Following Lola's death, an agreement was made for Lexi to be raised jointly by Jay and her father, Ben Mitchell, who is currently in prison. Fans noted that Jay would not realistically abandon Lexi for a new partner.
The storyline comes amid a turbulent period for Lexi, who recently faced the divorce of Ben and Callum. Heartbroken, she emailed Johnny Carter's law firm clients about his affair with Callum, leading to Johnny being fired. He has since set up a new firm with an old friend, who has shown interest in Callum.
Some fans speculate that EastEnders will use Jay's new relationship as a permanent reason for his absence, potentially writing him out altogether. Others have suggested that the repeated let-downs could set Lexi on a darker path.
