Devoted viewers of BBC's EastEnders have been left furious and disappointed by the offscreen explanation for a popular character's departure, branding it a blatant 'character assassination'.
The Controversial Exit Explained
The controversy centres on Jay Brown, a character played by actor Jamie Borthwick for nearly two decades. Borthwick was suspended and subsequently axed from the BBC soap in September 2025 following an incident where he used an ableist slur on Strictly Come Dancing. His final on-screen appearance was a poignant scene where he tied the shoelaces of his stepdaughter, Lexi Pearce.
Initially, the show explained Jay's absence by stating he had gone to care for his sick grandfather, Bert. However, in the episode aired on Monday 22 December 2025, a new reason was given that has sparked widespread anger among the show's fanbase.
Fans React to 'Out of Character' Betrayal
During the episode, Lexi asked her other stepfather, Callum Highway, if Jay would be attending a film screening. Callum revealed that Jay had chosen to spend Christmas with his new girlfriend, Elena, instead, devastating Lexi.
This revelation has been met with confusion and fury from long-time viewers. Fans argue it completely undermines years of character development, where Jay fought tirelessly to remain in Lexi's life after the death of her mother, Lola Pearce-Brown, from brain cancer in 2023.
One fan expressed their dismay online, stating: "And the character assassination of Jay begins. 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 agreed, saying: "They’ve really done Jay dirty, after all the promises he made to Lola about being Lexi’s dad he chooses to spend Christmas up north with some new girl and not bother to see Lexi, really out of character."
The Wider Impact on Lexi's Storyline
This exit is the latest in a series of heartbreaks for young Lexi Pearce. She has recently endured the divorce of Ben Mitchell and Callum Highway, and her subsequent actions to sabotage Johnny Carter's career. Fans now fear that Jay's abandonment will be used to further a potential 'villain arc' for the teenager.
One viewer speculated on the future narrative, predicting: "So, they're writing Jay as letting Lexi down as well. And, I'll assume EastEnders are planning on getting Jay and this Elena engaged by the New Year, we'll hear about the wedding & a baby on the way in the coming months, and that will be Jay's exit story."
While audiences understand the necessity of writing out a character following an actor's dismissal, the consensus is that the method chosen has unfairly tarnished a beloved legacy, turning a devoted father figure into just another person who lets Lexi down.
