EastEnders has finally addressed the permanent departure of Jay Brown, five months after actor Jamie Borthwick was confirmed not to be returning to the soap. A brief scene in Tuesday's episode, now available on BBC iPlayer, revealed that Jay has moved away, is engaged, and expecting a baby.
The exit was explained through his step-daughter Lexi Pearce, who received a letter and a baby scan photo. Billy Mitchell noted the 'big change', while Lexi expressed mixed feelings about becoming a big sister and visiting Jay outside of term time. The episode aired after months of vague mentions, including a September scene where Jay was caring for his grandfather and a Christmas reference to him spending the holidays with a new girlfriend.
Borthwick, who played Jay since 2006, was suspended in June after a video surfaced of him using an ableist slur during his time on Strictly Come Dancing. A BBC Studios spokesperson confirmed at the time that he would not return, declining to comment further. Borthwick later apologised, saying he did not fully understand the term and was 'deeply embarrassed' by his actions.
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and from 6am on BBC iPlayer.
