Archive June 8, 2025

EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick has been suspended by BBC after using a derogatory word to describe locals in Blackpool – which is also regarded as a disabled slur

Jamie Borthwick has been seen for the first time since he was suspended by the BBC for using a disabled slur on the set of Strictly Come Dancing. The 30-year-old EastEnders star is said to have made the offensive remark while the Strictly cast were at Blackpool Tower Ballroom last November.

It has been reported the actor – who plays Jay Brown in the BBC soap – was filmed using the derogatory word to describe locals in Blackpool, where the BBC show films a glitzy live episode before the finals. The word he used is also a derogatory term regarded as a disabled slur. The footage is then said to been sent to one of his pals.

The actor has since issued a grovelling apology, saying: “I want to apologise sincerely and wholeheartedly for the words I used in the video showing my reaction to making it through Blackpool week on Strictly. I am deeply sorry for any offence and upset my words and actions have caused.

“It is no excuse, but I did not fully understand the derogatory term I used and its meaning. That is on me completely. Now I am aware, I am deeply embarrassed to have used the term and directed it in the way I did. It was wrong.”

But it seems the apology was too little, too late as Jamie was suspended by the BBC once it came to light. Explaining why, a BBC spokesperson said: “This language is entirely unacceptable and in no way reflects the values or standards we hold and expect at the BBC. We have robust processes in place for this.”

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Warren Kirwan, media manager at disability equality charity Scope, blasted the language used and said: “Attitudes and language like this are never acceptable. It’s not just ignorant and hurtful to disabled people, it has wider consequences.

“Negative attitudes hold disabled people back in all areas of life, from getting a job to shopping on the high street. Mr Borthwick needs to reflect on what he said, educate himself and do better. We hope he takes the opportunity to get to know the reality of disabled people’s lives.”

Breaking cover for the first time since his suspension was announced, Jamie looked downcast as he was spotted running errands near his home earlier today. In the pictures obtained by The Sun, the star sported a blue and green striped T-shirt, grey shorts and trainers as he made his way to his car. An onlooker reportedly said: “He looked like a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders, which isn’t surprising given the hot water he is in right now.”

And it’s not the first Strictly scandal Jamie has been involved with since appearing on the show. Footage reportedly emerged of him brandishing a sex toy sent to him by celebrity co-star Go Compare opera singer Wynne Evans, who has also found himself under fire for his behaviour on Strictly.

The inappropriate video was said to have been shared in a messaging group with other Strictly stars, who it is suggested did not expect nor want to be included in an exchange that had a sexual connotation. The clip is thought to have been filmed just two days after Wynne was recorded making a sexualised comment about pro dancer Janette Manrara.

Wynne, who was a BBC Radio Wales presenter, has since been dropped by the BBC following an apology saying that he used “inappropriate language” during the launch of the Strictly Come Dancing tour.

The singer, who performed in the 25th anniversary of The Phantom Of The Opera and also won 2023’s Celebrity MasterChef, told The Sun on Sunday earlier this month that the Strictly comment was not sexual or directed at one of the female cast – but a nickname for fellow contestant Jamie.

He told the paper: “I didn’t see the statement – ‘Old Spit-roast Boy’ was a nickname for Jamie Borthwick. I’m not a bad guy, I’m not a misogynist, I’m not any of these things. And so I went, ‘I’m so sorry’.

“And that was taken as a formal apology, so the press team issued a statement. I didn’t see it. When I read the apology within the context of the story as it had been written, I was absolutely horrified.”

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Coronation Street legend Angela Lonsdale hasn’t aged a day in over two decades in latest snap with co-star, after first stepping onto the Corrie cobbles in 2000

Coronation Street legend Angela Lonsdale looks identical to when she featured on the cobbles two decades ago as she posed up a storm with her co-star and daughter. Angela Lonsdale is renowned for her portrayal of police officer Emma Watts in the ITV soap when she joined in 2000.

She quickly became a fan favourite, especially after her on-screen marriage to Curly Watts (Kevin Kennedy), but sadly left the soap after three years.

Over two decades later, the actor hasn’t changed an inch as she shared a snap with fellow Corrie legend Sally Dynever and her daughter Phoebe.

Taking to social media to wish Sally a happy birthday, Angela shared the sweet snap along with the caption: “Wishing you The Happiest Birthday my beautiful angel @sallydynevor. Thank you for being the Best Friend anyone could wish for! Have the most wonderful time with @dynevortim!”.

Angela sweetly continued: “Love you with all my heart and soul #birthdaylove #bestfriend #happybirthday #wecomeasone”.

Since departing the Corrie cobbles, Angela has gone on to feature in an array of dramas, starting when she joined The Bill in 2003. She then portrayed DI Eva Moore in the BBC daytime series Doctors from 2006 to 2008, later returning briefly in 2011.

Other roles included Karen Sunderland in Casualty, Grace Lane in Our Girl, and ‘Scary’ Sue Buchanan in Holby City.

Angela appeared in The Syndicate in 2021 and looked almost unrecognisable as she was caked in fake tan, oversized jewellery and pink lipstick. She played the part of Mrs Levine, an over-the-top dog owner who clearly loved her makeup.

Angela likes to keep fans updated on her life through social media and previously shared one of her reunions with Kevin Kennedy, her on-screen husband.

Taking to Instagram and sharing a smiley photo, Angela said: “Reunited with my corrie hubby @realkevinkennedy Break a leg pet! @rockofagesmusicaluk.”

Fans went wild over the reunion as one person said: “Wow .. that brings back memories.” While others stated they want them to make a comeback to Weatherfield.

A second fan commented: “I think u should both come back to Corrie ….. take over the rover return….x.”, while another added: “This is lovely. I think its such a beautiful thing when you can reunite with friends/people you used to work with. Especially when it’s the iconic couple of Curly and Emma on corrie. I hope both Kevin and yourself had a lovely catch-up/reunion it’s beautiful to see thank you.”

Molly-Mae Hague has admitted there are certain parts of her newfound relationship with boxer and Love Island partner Tommy Fury that she is struggling to deal with

Reality TV star Molly-Mae Hague has admitted there are parts of her rekindled romance with Tommy Fury that she is still struggling with. The former Love Island pair stunned fans last year when they announced their shock split after five years together.

However, the parents of Bambi have decided to give love another go and went public recently after keeping their reunion under wraps. Since announcing they are back together, the family of three have enjoyed several sweet trips, including a staycation in the Cotswolds this weekend.

But the Maebe founder has admitted it’s not all smooth sailing. Speaking to her fans in her latest vlog update on YouTube, Molly-Mae confessed it has felt strange adjusting back to having their relationship in the open.

She candidly discussed how she struggled on the family’s recent trip to Disneyland Paris. She told the camera: “Disneyland was just like… I don’t want to say not enjoyable, because we had a lovely time. Disneyland was just, we went at the wrong time.”

Molly-Mae explained how the trio went to the park with loved ones during the school holidays. However, duo to their status, she revealed the family was constantly being filmed and photos being taken.

Despite trying to play down the situation, she said she noticed a number of people snapping them without permission. And it was that which was the hardest part of the trip as they had their young daughter in tow, Molly admitted.

She went on: “At Disneyland, when I was with Bambi, it’s quite hard to navigate that. When you have a toddler, you’re out with your partner, and there’s already a little bit of a new thing that you’re back out together, and you’re trying to navigate that, and then you can see people looking and staring and filming”.

Molly-Mae added: “It was my birthday as well, and it was just like… kind of tricky to figure out if we were having boundaries, or there weren’t any boundaries”.

She admitted the incident has meant she won’t be rushing back to enjoy a family trip out in the open anytime soon. Despite saying “we should have known better”, Molly said their newfound relationship’s attention means they will “feel it more now”.

“It’s just a bit like new territory”, she said. “Because for people it’s a bit like taboo, I don’t know, but if people see us out, it’s like ‘ oh, like let’s film! ‘ I don’t know – I just think I maybe felt it a bit more this time”.

Over the weekend, Molly also shared a number of sweet snaps from their more intimate time away together in the Cotswolds. Posting to Instagram, Molly said: “This look is giving mum who’s had approx 3 seconds to get ready.”

She then posted a photo taken at Aynhoe Park, a 17th-century country estate located at the boundaries of Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire – just next to the Cotswolds – and wrote “Restoration Hardware morning… this place is my heaven. Interior spam incoming”.

The mum-of-one continued to upload a series of images of the venue’s luxurious interior, including two adorable photos of Bambi carrying a little pram while walking around the rooms. She also posted pictures of her favourite bedrooms and explained how her daughter put her baby doll to bed in every room of the building.

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Former Made In Chelsea star Sophie Habboo, 30, announced she was expecting her first baby with husband Jamie Laing, 36, in a sweet Instagram post this week

Pregnant Sophie Habboo showed off her baby bump for the second time this week as she danced the night away at a Beyoncé gig in London on Saturday. The 30-year-old mum-to-be, who is married to fellow Made In Chelsea legend Jamie Laing, took to Instagram to share new snaps of her changing figure.

She donned a blue halter neck crop top and low slung stonewash jeans for the outing at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where Beyoncé is performing six shows as part of her Cowboy Carter tour. Giving fans a glimpse of her tiny bump, Sophie couldn’t contain her happiness as she posed for pics with her MIC pal Melissa Tattam, who she hosts her Wednesdays podcast with.

Husband Jamie, 36, was one of the first to comment underneath, cheekily writing: “Mama’s Out..”. Celeb pal Lottie Moss commented: “She’s glowing!!”! Chloe Madeley wrote: “Beautiful”. While Jamie Oliver’s wife Jules simply posted a blue love heart emoji.

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One fan declared: “You are definitely the HOTTEST pregnant woman I’VE EVER SEEN! That baby is going to be]heart face emoji]. Congratulations to both you and Jamie”. Another wrote: “Hottest baby mama”. A third said: “Gorgy preggy lady”. While a fourth added: “Beautiful! I think you’re having a baby boy”.

Jamie and Sophie, who tied the knot in 2023, announced they were to become parents earlier this week. Sharing a sweet video in a joint post on social media Sophie can be seen getting an ultrasound scan.

As the baby pops up on the screen, an emotional Jamie is heard saying: “Oh my God. Are you kidding me”?! The pair simply captioned the post with a red love heart emoji as family, friends and fans congratulated them.

A few days later, Sophie shared snaps from a pal’s wedding showing off her bump properly for the first time in an emerald green floor length dress. As she posed for a series of selfies at the nuptials, she wrote in the caption: “Last weekend I celebrated one of my friends of 24 years getting married and it was everything and more.” In another snap featured in the carousel, Sophie and Jamie take a bathroom selfie in which the reality star’s bump can clearly be seen.

Pal Millie Mackintosh wrote in the comments: “Omg you in green. Also the perfect dress for your gorgeous bump! So happy for you guys xxx.” Fellow MIC star Emily Blackwell, who recently became a mum herself after welcoming daughter Eva with fiancé Jordan Alexander, posted: “Love the dress!” While Former The Only Way Is Essex star Ferne McCann commented: “Wow mamma you look so beautiful.”

It’s not known when Sophie and Jamie’s baby is due, but the TV and radio star opened up about the “realities of motherhood” on her podcast with pal Melissa on Wednesday.

Explaining she had just returned home from a trip to Portugal with her sister, Georgia, baby niece, Bella, she shared: “I really got an insight into the baby world. Georgia’s never had any help and the level of respect I have for mums – it’s not a joke”.

She continued: “The amount of stuff! You’re packing up a planet every time you move. Even carrying the baby is quite heavy. I was like: ‘ Ow, my arm hurts do you want her back? ‘”

Despite admitting baby Bella was the “most hyperactive child ever”, Sophie said she was “in love with her”, adding the family had “a really sweet, wholesome time”. However, she did say that she was “unable to switch off” during the holiday, adding: “Me and mum were so tired”.

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