BBC EastEnders’ Jamie Borthwick reveals Nadine actress feared stepping on Lola’s toes
EastEnders' Jamie Borthwick has reacted to the social media theories that Nadine, who his character Jay Brown has got involved with, was a figment of Jay's imagination
EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick has revealed his kind gesture to Nadine actress Jazzy Phoenix after she admitted fears over treading on Lola Pearce actress’ Danielle Harold’s toes.
Earlier this year, fans of the BBC soap were left heartbroken after Lola (played by Danielle) died following her brain tumour diagnosis. Lola’s death left a huge hole in the hearts of viewers and Albert Square residents. But, no one felt the grief like Lola’s loving husband Jay Brown (played by Jamie) and her daughter Lexi (played by Isabella Brown).
Recent scenes have seen Jay turn to sex worker Nadine for company and comfort – as he began paying to sleep next to her – sparking concern from Callum Highway (Tony Clay).
This week, viewers have seen Callum confront both Jay and Nadine in a bid to get Jay to stop seeing her as Lexi is beginning to notice her step dad is spending more and more nights out. And as Jay confided in Nadine about struggling with his grief, asked Nadine to give him some drugs after he noticed she’s in possession of ketamine.
Jay has turned to drugs to deal with his grief (
BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
His dealings with Nadine soon landed him in a cell, though, as Callum discovered Jay had been sourcing drugs from Nadine and informed his colleagues in blue. And, as Jay popped out to meet Nadine and get more drugs from her – the pair’s meeting was interrupted by police. Nadine ran away and Jay was arrested and spent the night in a cell.
As Jay continues to spiral, actor Jamie opened up to the Mirror about working with Nadine – and revealed she had some concerns during her time on Albert Square, but he took her under his win.
Speaking to the Mirror at the Pride of Britain Awards, Jamie said: “It’s my favourite one, that.”
“It was just a reaction, and I just thought, ‘Oh that’s a good one they wanna jump on, I like that’. That’s been a laugh. Jazzy who’s come in and played Nadine – do you know what the best thing about that is she was so aware of Danielle’s space. She was like, ‘Oh I really don’t want to be treading on anyone’s toes here and I’m really aware that you’ve worked together for so long and you’ve got your little routine I really don’t want to get in her space’. I just thought that was great from her and she was fantastic, she was blinding.”
Sex worker Nadine has caused trouble for Jay (
BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
“I miss her a lot,” he added. James Bye, who plays Martin Fowler on the soap, stood alongside Jamie on the red carpet and was filled with compliments for his cast mate as he said: “You were good you supported her a lot. It’s hard to come into the show and with a storyline with Danielle like that…”
Jamie added: “Yeah, Danielle was obviously at the height of it…” James added: “He’s a lovely man, aren’t you?”
“Stop it you,” Jamie playfully responded to James as the Jay Brown actor added: “It was such a big thing with Danielle for her [Jazz] and for her to come in off the back of that, she was a bit like rabbit in the headlights kind of thing and I was like, ‘no, no, no you’re coming with me I’m looking after you and we’re doing it and she was great, she really was.”
