JAMIE Borthwick was seen stepping out for the first time since he became embroiled in a fresh Strictly Come Dancing scandal.
The EastEnders actor, 30, looked sombre as he headed out to a theatre in the spring-time sunshine – after The Sun reported on his shock sex toy video with Strictly co-star Wynne Evans, 53.
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Jamie donned a grey T-Shirt and pale trousers, paired with black and white Converse trainers as he strolled in London.
He appeared serious as he headed to the Southwark Playhouse just hours after his antics with opera singer Wynne – who has been involved in a slew of Strictly scandals of his own – came to light.
This weekend, footage obtained by The Sun on Sunday shows the sex toy — sent to Jamie, 30, by Wynne as a joke — being brandished backstage during the Strictly live tour.
Jamie, who plays EastEnders’ Jay Brown, then shared an offensive clip on the Strictly celebs’ WhatsApp group.
A source said: “As soon as BBC executives were made aware of this shocking and immature footage being shared they formally addressed the issue and reminded the pair they had to act professionally.
“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.”
Sources say the video featuring Jamie and Wynne underlines the “inappropriate culture” behind the scenes of the flagship BBC show.
SEX TOY SCANDAL
In the footage, Jamie explained the toy was sent to Birmingham’s Utilita Arena reception by Wynne.
He smiled as he holds up the rubber toy, then points the camera at Wynne — who is practising topless with pro dancer Neil Jones.
Jamie said: “Look at what he bought me. I opened it up and he surprised me with this, didn’t he. It’s so funny.”
A source said: “This was going on in January when the Strictly tour was in Birmingham and was around the same time Wynne made his explicit remark about Janette.
“Jamie and Wynne, who were often playing pranks on each other, thought it was all very funny.
“Jamie giggles about it like a naughty schoolboy. They thought it was hilarious but others didn’t.”
How might Strictly’s scandal affect the show’s future?
By PR expert, Nick Ede
THE Strictly Glitterball has been tarnished by the revelations about Graziano and Gio and there is no going back for the show.
With other celebrities making their feelings known daily, this is not how the BBC saw their flagship show going into its next season, celebrating its 20th anniversary.
This dark cloud will forever change the show and all eyes will be on the dancers, the celebrities, their relationships and dynamics.
I am sure, with precautions being made, there will be less spark with the stars and this will, too, be a shame as the chemistry is something the audiences love and talk about.
Strictly is a bright star and one of the biggest shows on the planet. Not only does it bring families together, it has an effect that can be felt UK-wide with people up and down the country tuning in to enjoy it.
Also, it’s important not to tarsnish everyone on the show with the same brush.
Most of the professional dancers have had an impeccable record and it’s a shame to bring up past stars, who are no longer on the show, as well as the current stars who put their life and soul into performing each week.
The BBC has a responsibility and duty of care and, with new infrastructures in place, hopefully the brand will get beyond this and continue giving joy to so many millions of people who view it religiously.
The video made by Jamie, showing the sex toy he says Wynne sent to him, was said to have been recorded on January 18.
Our source added: “It seems Jamie and Wynne thought it was just banter but it all feels very inappropriate.
“The sex toy is quite shocking to see on video, particularly when it was filmed behind the scenes in a dressing room on the Strictly tour.”
WYNNE’S WOES
Wynne and Jamie — the Strictly Christmas special champion in 2023 — were partnered with Katya Jones and Michelle Tsiakkas respectively in last year’s series.
The BBC Radio Wales host was booted off the same Strictly tour after a video – believed to have been taken two days earlier than the sex toy scandal on January 16 – after he made a vile sexual comment to tour host Janette Manrara.
He let slip the shock remark at the start of the Strictly live tour shows before pulling out of the Glasgow performance, citing an ankle injury.
Dad of two Wynne is sadly no stranger to a TV scandal.
Wynne previously came under fire in last year’s Strictly series when he was seen groping his dance partner Katya, but they dismissed it as a joke.
He then told how he had been left “heartbroken” over the backlash, which came when he was seen with his hand around professional partner Katya‘s waist.
She was also seen refusing to high-five the singer – sparking rumours of a fall-out.
The duo were quick to issue a video apology and insisted it was all an innocent “inside joke.”
Despite fans demanding the pair clarify exactly what “the joke” was, the pair did not elaborate further.
He was then accused of making another distasteful remark towards a make-up artist on the long-running reality show.
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