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.

EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick has been suspended by the BBC after using a slur against people with disabilities on the Strictly Come Dancing set.

The incident took place about six months ago during his time on Strictly Come Dancing and has led to speculation that the actor might have been suspended from the BBC soap. The Manchester Evening News reported that the soap star used the derogatory term in a video referring to the people of Blackpool,