The BBC has suspended one of its most familiar soap stars after he was heard using a slur against people with disabilities on a TV set, using the phrase to describe the people of Blackpool where he was filming.

Jamie Borthwick, best known for playing Jay Brown in EastEnders, has been suspended by the BBC after footage emerged of him using a derogatory term about disabled people on the set of Strictly Come Dancing.

EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick has been suspended by the BBC after using a slur against people with disabilities on the set of Strictly Come Dancing. The offensive remark was made last November during filming for the BBC dance show’s flagship Blackpool week, the Sun on Sunday reported.