“This is the end for Jay and the Mitchells!”
AS PHIL TELLS JAY THAT HE KILLED HIS FATHER, JAMIE BORTHWICK ADMITS THERE CAN BE NO GOING BACK…
Dark drama is in store for Phil and Jay this week, as Phil makes a shocking confession that blows the lad’s world apart – he killed Jay’s father! In a gripping two-hander episode, the boy Phil took on as his own will be heartbroken by the stunning revelation – and as Phil explains all, the fallout is unfathomable. So while Jamie Borthwick, who plays young mechanic Jay, is thrilled to have been involved in such a spectacular episode, he does admit that for his shattered alter ego, life will never be the same again…
Hi, Jamie. This is a huge confession from Phil! What will it mean for Jay?
His whole relationship with Phil has been ruined, and Jay can never forgive him – he’s distraught. But Phil has done so much for him, so he’s torn between the devil and the deep blue sea. Phil’s been a big influence on his life – without him Jay would have no money, he wouldn’t have had anywhere to live. He’s really in a tricky position, that’s for sure.
How shocked do you think the show’s viewers will be by what’s revealed?
Very shocked! It’ll leave them saying, “Whoa!”. It’s classic
Eastenders – unexpected and outside of the box…
How did you feel when you found out this episode would be a two-hander with Steve Mcfadden (who plays Phil)?
I was flattered to be trusted with such an important thing – and to be able to hold court with Steve for half an hour [laughs]! Hopefully I’ve kept up with him. I just try and do my best all the time, so fingers crossed everyone will be happy. But full credit has to go to the crew – they threw everything at the episode, and it was just fantastic. I really enjoyed filming it.
Have you enjoyed playing out the grittiness of it all, as well?
I have, yeah. It really kicks in from now. Jay has a big tear-up with Ben, and this
Jay and Phil’s relationship is ruined – Jay can never forgive him!
changes everything for Jay. It’s exciting!
So it sounds as though you’ll be sticking with Eastenders for the foreseeable, then?
I really hope so… It’s just a dream job, isn’t it? For any actor. I just love everything about the show – so another 11 years here would be nice!
Being able to have a good laugh with your co-stars must help when your storylines are so dark…
Yeah, it’s good – it’s important to do that. I have great laughs with Harry [Reid, who plays Ben], and Perry Fenwick [aka Billy] – and Steve. I come home from work every day and my jaw hurts because I’ve been laughing so much. The four of us together form a nice little group – Steve and Perry as the two old lions, and me and Harry as two little monkeys!
If Jay and Ben’s friendship ends up ruined by what’s in store, can you imagine anyone else taking the role of Jay’s partner in crime?
Because my bond with Harry is so strong, I find that a bit tricky to think about! We’re together all the time, and we drive each other mad more often than not. But every day I get to go to work with my best mate, and that’s great.
As you say, you’ve been in Eastenders for almost 11 years now – do you feel as though you missed out on anything by growing up on television?
Not at all. If anything I’ve had it better. I’ve had some really great role models, and I’ve learned everything faster. It’s hard to explain the effect it has on you – it’s unique. But when you’re shoved into a professional adult world at 12, you do grow up quicker. I’m an old man now!
You always seem so down to earth – how easy is it to avoid being sucked into the more negative aspects of being a celebrity?
I’m not a celebrity! I’m a professional actor. I don’t get involved in any of the celebrity scene. I’m very happy just plodding along, in my own little way, doing my thing. All I do is listen to people who have been there and done it, as I know they’re wiser than me.
So, with tough times ahead for troubled Jay, what advice would you give him if you were his friend?
I would say to him that the past is the past. I know it’s a huge thing to discover, but what has happened has happened. Phil is sorry, he’s very sorry – and I would tell Jay to bear that in mind.
Could the dramatic revelation signal the end of Jay’s relationship with the Mitchell family, though?
Potentially. Definitely. It’s huge!