Jamie Borthwick

Jamie Simon Borthwick (born 23 June 1994) is an English actor. He rose to prominence for his portrayal of Jay Brown in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, in which he appeared from 2006 to 2025. For his portrayal of the character, he won the British Soap Award for Best Dramatic Performance from a Young Actor or Actress in 2008. He was a contestant on the twenty-second series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2024, after winning the Christmas Special the previous year.

Early life Borthwick was born on 23 June 1994 in Barking, London to Sharon (née Thomas) and Simon Borthwick. The oldest of three children, he has two younger sisters, Samantha and Charlee. He attended Sylvia Young Theatre School until he was 16.

Career Borthwick's first appearance on television was as an orphan in the Celebrate Oliver! musical alongside Shane Richie and Joseph McManners in December 2005. The following year, Borthwick had a minor role in the BBC sitcom Not Going Out. He was subsequently cast as Jay Brown in the BBC soap opera EastEnders and made his first appearance in December 2006. He also appeared in an episode of Gina's Laughing Gear in 2007. Borthwick won the award for "Best Dramatic Performance from a Young Actor or Actress" at the 2008 British Soap Awards for his portrayal of Jay and dedicated it to his late grandmother, who died one day prior to his win.

In December 2023, Borthwick took part in the Strictly Come Dancing 2023 Christmas Special. He was paired with professional dancer Nancy Xu and the couple danced a quickstep, achieving the maximum 40 points from the judges and winning the competition. The following year, he was announced as a contestant on the twenty-second series of the main show and was paired with professional dancer Michelle Tsiakkas. They were the ninth couple to be eliminated in the tenth week.

In June 2025, Borthwick was suspended from EastEnders by the BBC after a backstage video from Strictly Come Dancing in November 2024, surfaced showing him referring to the inhabitants of Blackpool by using ableist language considered derogatory toward disabled individuals. The BBC described his language as "entirely unacceptable" and said it did not reflect their values or standards. He issued a public apology in a statement to The Sun on Sunday, expressing regret for his words and acknowledging the offence they had caused. In September 2025, it was announced that Borthwick had been axed from the soap after 19 years, and would not return from his suspension.

Personal life Borthwick carried boxer Kevin Mitchell's championship belt into the boxing ring prior to a bout in July 2007. He is a second cousin to former EastEnders co-star Charlie Winter, who played Hunter Owen. Borthwick supports Premier League football club West Ham United F.C.. In January 2019, it was announced that he would be running the London Marathon with some of his EastEnders co-stars for a dementia campaign in honour of Barbara Windsor.

In May 2021, Borthwick was caught speeding in Romford, and he was subsequently given a driving ban. His lawyer appealed the ban, stating that Borthwick is recognised while using public transport, and "not all of these encounters are favourable". The ban was subsequently removed.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes 2005 Celebrate Oliver! Orphan Television film 2006 Not Going Out Aggressive Boy / Young Chav 2 episodes 2007 Gina's Laughing Gear Boy Episode: "Driving Me Mad" 2010 East Street Jay Brown Charity crossover between Coronation Street and EastEnders 2013 Jedward's Big Adventure Himself Episode: "Cheddar Gorge" 2013 12 Again Himself Episode: "EastEnders" 2019 Soccer AM Himself Guest; 2 episodes 2024 Contestant; series 22 2024 The Chase: Celebrity Special Himself Contestant; 1 episode 2025 The Hit List Himself Contestant; 1 episode

Awards and nominations Year Award Role Category Result 2007 Inside Soap Awards Jay Brown EastEndersBest Young Actor 2008 Digital Spy Soap AwardsJay Brown EastEnders Best Child Actor (Under 16) 2008 The British Soap Awards Jay Brown EastEnders Best Dramatic Performance from a Young Actor or Actress 2009 Inside Soap Awards Jay Brown EastEnders Best Young Actor 2016 Digital Spy Reader Awards Jay Brown EastEnders Biggest Unsung Hero 2022 Digital Spy Reader AwardsJay Brown EastEnders Best Soap Actor (Male) 2023 British Soap Awards Jay Brown EastEnders Best Leading Performer 2023 British Soap AwardsJay Brown Lola Pearce EastEnders Best On-Screen Partnership (with Danielle Harold) 2023 Inside Soap AwardsJay Brown EastEnders Best Actor 2023 TVTimes Awards Jay Brown EastEnders Favourite Soap Actor 2023 Digital Spy Reader AwardsJay Brown Lola Pearce EastEnders Best Soap Couple (with Danielle Harold) 2024 TV Choice AwardsJay Brown EastEnders Best Soap Actor