EASTENDERS star Jamie Borthwick is set to save his BBC career after “sincerely apologising” for his behaviour and making a last-gasp bid to clean up his act.
The star accepted the “karma that has come my way” after his sickening disabled slur led to his suspension.
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He is booked in for high-level talks with corporation bosses and there is a growing belief he could eventually continue in his role as Jay Brown in Albert Square.
It comes after the 30-year-old was suspended following The Sun on Sunday’s revelation last weekend that he blurted out the hurtful term “m********s” while on the Strictly Come Dancing set.
Jamie used the offensive phrase to pour scorn on Blackpool, which is seen as the jewel in each series of the BBC‘s prime-time family show.
As part of his bid to save his acting career, he this week sent a heartfelt message to a former partner, conceding it was “not clear” if he’d be returning to EastEnders.
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But he told how the circumstances had given him time to reflect on “decisions that have led me here”.
Jamie said: “I accept the karma that has come my way due to some bad choices.”
He went on to say he is “attempting to right the wrongs in my life”, and “want to sincerely apologise for the mistakes I made and for hurting you and how I handled the whole situation”.
And he added: “Had I the opportunity to turn the clock back I would do so and do everything differently.”
The Sun told how Jamie issued the vile video while standing alongside GoCompare opera singer Wynne Evans.
The duo were in Blackpool for week nine of the Strictly TV series show in November last year when Jamie sent the obscene footage to a pal.
The EastEnders star, who joined the soap in 2006, said in a public apology: “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.
“When I made the video, I was excited and caught up in the moment. Again, that is no excuse. But my regrettable actions are not a true reflection of my views, or who I am.
“I enjoyed every minute of my time in the Blackpool Tower Ballroom and the town itself.
“The people of Blackpool have always been amazing with the Strictly crew, dancers and cast members. I know they will be again for this year’s show and those in years to come. I am truly sorry.”
The BBC said his language was “entirely unacceptable and in no way reflects the values or standards we hold and expect”.
Disability charity Scope said Borthwick should reflect on what he said and educate himself. “We hope he takes the opportunity to get to know the reality of disabled people’s lives,” said the organisation’s media manager Warren Kirwan.
In April, The Sun told how Jamie and Wynne were rapped by BBC bosses for sharing a backstage joke over a sex toy video when the Strictly tour was in Birmingham.
A source told us last night: “Jamie has been reaching out to people off his own back and trying to sort his life out once and for all. He is genuinely remorseful. He’s a young man with his acting career stretching out ahead of him.
“He will be forced to stay at home for a while and acknowledge his misdemeanours. A lesson is being learned. But it’s good news for fans that there is a good chance that we haven’t seen the last of Jamie in Albert Square.”
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