Jamie Borthwick, known for playing Jay Brown in EastEnders, has reportedly split from his partner following a scandal linked to the Strictly Come Dancing live tour. The 30-year-old actor allegedly shared a video involving a sex toy to a group chat of Strictly cast members, alongside his co-star Wynne Evans. The incident occurred shortly after Evans was filmed making an inappropriate suggestion involving Borthwick and presenter Janette Manrara during a promotional photocall.
++ Britain’s starling population plummets to all-time low
Evans, famed for his GoCompare adverts, was later dropped from the tour following the controversy. Borthwick’s partner of one year, Chloe, who remained out of the public eye throughout his Strictly journey, is said to have ended the relationship after the tour concluded. Describing Borthwick as “a boy in a man’s body,” sources suggest Chloe felt the actor didn’t prioritise their relationship and was embarrassed by his behaviour in the clip.
The footage, reportedly filmed backstage at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena, shows Borthwick holding the toy and jokingly attributing its purchase to Evans. In the censored video, he tells the camera crew, “Look at what he bought me,” before laughing and revealing how the item had been delivered to him during the tour. The video, initially intended as a joke, ended up being circulated beyond the original WhatsApp group, eventually reaching BBC executives.
++ Analysing the Trump-Putin dynamic: a diplomatic performance or power play?
The BBC was said to be “horrified and shocked” by the footage, especially given Strictly’s family-friendly reputation. A source told The Sun on Sunday that both men were formally warned and reminded of the expectations around professional conduct. Several cast members reportedly found the humour inappropriate, prompting the BBC to act swiftly in addressing the situation. Representatives for Borthwick have yet to comment.
