Jamie Borthwick was reportedly given the elbow by his girlfriend prior to finding himself embroiled in a new Strictly Come Dancing scandal.
The EastEnders actor, 30, took part in last year’s series and the Strictly live tour earlier this year and has come under fire after it emerged that he and his co-star Wynne Evans sent a video messing around with a sex toy to a group chat.
The clip is believed to have been filmed days after Evans was caught on film suggesting an inappropriate act of a sexual nature with presenter Janette Manrara and Borthwick during a photocall for the live tour’s launch.
GoCompare ad star Evans found himself axed from the tour after the clip hit headlines.
Borthwick’s parter of one year Chloe - who remained out of the spotlight during his time on the BBC dance competition - is said to have called time on their relationship when the live show ended.
Jamie Borthwick (left) pictured next to Wynne Evans at a photocall for the Strictly live tour earlier this year
PA Wire
Describing him as a “boy in a man’s body”, it is said that Chloe felt Borthwick - who portrays the character Jay Brown in the long-running soap - simply “didn’t have time for her”.
A source told The Sun: “Strictly was a whirlwind for Jamie and they managed to keep it going when he was on the show,” they said. “But Chloe dumped Jamie when he finished the Strictly tour. She said she felt like Jamie didn't have time for her,” they added.
“Seeing the video of him with the sex toy and acting so weirdly made her realise it was the right choice. Jamie acts like a boy in a man's body. She doesn't have time for that.”
According to The Sun on Sunday, Borthwick shared the clip to the Strictly celebrities’ WhatsApp group, which was then forwarded to BBC bosses who were left “horrified and shocked”.
The footage, which has been censored, shows Borthwick waving the toy backstage at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena.
Jamie Borthwick was partnered with professional dancer Michelle Tsiakkas during last year’s televised series
PA Media
“Look at what he bought me,” he says with a sigh and gesturing towards Evans, who was on the other side of the room having a costume fitting.
The actor continued: “He ordered it to the thing, so we’re walking down today and they said, ‘Oh Jamie, there’s a package for you.’” He held up the object again, declaring, “It’s so funny”.
A source told the publication that BBC bosses were informed of the “immature footage being shared” and “formally addressed the issue and reminded the pair they had to act professionally”.
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“The men were acting extremely immaturely and inappropriately, considering it was a family show, and many cast members didn’t share their crass sense of humour.
“Bosses were horrified and shocked, hoping to nip the issue in the bud, unaware the video had been shared more widely.”
The Standard has contacted representative for Jamie Borthwick for comment.
