It's Ender the line for Jamie

Actor Borthwick axed from BBC show

- BY TOM BRYANT ASSOCIATE EDITOR (SHOWBIZ)

EASTENDERS actor Jamie Borthwick has been axed by the BBC from the soap after 19 years.

The 31-year-old, one of the hit show's longest-serving cast members, was told his time in Albert Square was over.

BBC Studios, which makes the soap, said: "We can confirm that Jamie Borthwick will not be returning to EastEnders. We do not comment on individual matters."

The star, who plays funeral home manager Jay Brown, was spotted looking downcast and unshaven this week as he picked up bread and bacon from a shop near his home. It is understood he was only told in recent days of the bosses' decision.

It comes after he was suspended in June for using an offensive term for people with disabilities to describe Blackpool residents while filming Strictly in the seaside town.

The BBC said at the time that his language, caught in a clip on a phone, was "entirely unacceptable and in no way reflects the values or standards we hold and expect".

Disability charity Scope said then that Jamie should reflect on what he had said and educate himself.