EastEnders has officially written out Jay Brown from the BBC soap, with Tuesday’s episode revealing the character is now engaged and expecting a child with his new partner.
The long-running character, portrayed by Jamie Borthwick since 2006, departed Albert Square last year following the actor’s dismissal from the programme.
In scenes broadcast yesterday, Jay’s stepdaughter Lexi Pearce received a letter containing a baby scan photograph, confirming her stepfather’s new life away from Walford.
The teenager, played by Isabella Brown, was left distraught by the news that Jay had moved on permanently, with Billy Mitchell describing it as a “big change” for the family.
Jamie Borthwick played Jay in the soap since 2006
|
BBC
Mr Borthwick was suspended from the soap in June 2025 after footage emerged showing him using a disabled slur during his participation in Strictly Come Dancing.
The video captured the 31-year-old actor making the offensive remark while describing people in Blackpool during the BBC dance competition.
BBC bosses swiftly condemned his comments as “entirely unacceptable”, stating that it “in no way reflects the values or standards” expected at the corporation.
In September, a BBC Studios spokesperson confirmed to Radio Times: “We can confirm that Jamie Borthwick will not be returning to EastEnders. We do not comment on individual matters.”
The actor had been part of the cast for nearly two decades.
The soap had been gradually addressing Jay’s absence through scattered references over recent months.
Initially, Lauren Branning explained that Jay had travelled north to care for his unwell grandfather Bert Atkinson.
His final on-screen appearance came in August 2025, when he was spotted tying Lexi’s shoelaces in the market.
Jay Brown has been officially written out of the series
|
BBC
At Christmas, viewers learned Jay would not be returning to Walford for the festivities, having met a new girlfriend named Elayna while looking after his grandfather.
Monday’s episode showed Lexi visibly upset after receiving an envelope, which Tuesday’s instalment revealed contained Jay’s letter announcing his engagement and the pregnancy news.
In the episode, Callum and Billy comforted the tearful teenager, who admitted she wanted “things to go back to how they were before” with her mother and Jay together.
The pair reassured Lexi that she would always have their support, with Callum acknowledging she had endured more hardship than most in recent years.
Viewers expressed frustration at how the storyline handled Jay’s departure, with many arguing it contradicted his character’s devotion to Lexi.
One fan wrote on X: “Jay would NEVER do that to Lexi. Another insisted: “He adored Lexi and promised Lola, he wouldn’t have done this.”
Some fans of the actor took to his Instagram page to share their disappointment.
One fan wrote: “The bbc have done you so dirty. They are hardly innocent. A brilliant actor with so much potential. Keep going and working hard, you are loved by so so many. We all know jay wouldn’t leave Lexi like that. They’ve made Eastenders a massive flop.”
Mr Borthwick was suspended from the soap in June after footage emerged showing him using a disabled slur on Strictly Come Dancing
|
BBC
Another added: “Why is it fair that eastenders scripts publicly used so much offensive words like the hard R in many episodes (a set of people who write the script ) and you make one mistake and your villainised. So pathetic . Really hoping the best for you I miss watching you!”
“Stunned by the realization that Jay has gone. Gob smacked you’re a brilliant actor,” a fourth said, while a fifth declared: “Justice for Jamie!”
