BBC EastEnders confirms baby bombshell as fans say they’re ‘never seeing this kid’
EastEnders has confirmed huge baby news for one favourite (Image: BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes)
EastEnders has revealed major baby news for one character, despite them being written out of the BBC soap.
Jay Brown, portrayed by Jamie Borthwick, was a fixture in Albert Square for 19 years before his sudden departure last year, leaving his teenage step-daughter Lexi Pearce (Isabella Brown) behind.
The character was last spotted on the programme, tying Lexi’s shoelaces in the market, as Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington) observed.
In the episode that broadcast in September 2025, Jay and Lexi appeared outside the café and were met by her grandfather, Phil Mitchell (Steve McFladden), and Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley), who were already chatting.
Jay and Lola were married when she passed away in 2023(Image: BBC / Kieron McCarron)
Jay was shown discussing chickens that Nigel’s wife, Julie Bates (Karen Henthorn), had brought to Albert Square when she arrived. He hasn’t appeared since then, according to OK!
A brief scene later explained that Lauren Beale (Jacqueline Jossa) was overwhelmed at the car lot whilst Jay looked after his poorly grandfather Bert Atkinson (Dave Hill).
During Christmas, Jay was mentioned again when his family revealed he was spending the holidays with a new partner; however, the BBC soap has now confirmed another development.
On Tuesday (February 10), Lexi received a letter from step-father Jay, which contained a scan photograph confirming that he is expecting a baby with his new girlfriend. Jay was married to Lexi’s mother, Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold), when she passed away from cancer in 2023.
Lexi was accompanied by Billy and step-father Callum Highway (Tony Clay), who had been wed to her dad Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden), when Jay’s surprising baby revelation was disclosed.
Lexi discovered Jay Brown is having a baby after receiving a letter in the post(Image: BBC)
“It’s a major shift,” Billy comforted Lexi, “Him relocating, getting engaged, and now they’re expecting a baby.”
Through tears, Lexi responded: “He says I’ll be their big sister. And he’s offered to pay for me to come up on the train at half-term.”
Callum swiftly interrupted: “You don’t have to go if you don’t want to”, whilst Lexi acknowledged she does want to visit her step-father, but confessed: “I wish things could go back to how they were before, Mum and Jay, and you and dad,” as her emotions began to overwhelm her.
EastEnders viewers expressed their disappointment with Jay’s baby reveal following his abrupt departure from Walford after nearly two decades on the Square.
Venting on X, one viewer posted: “Not the producers giving a Jay a baby after all this time and it’s OFF SCREEN #EastEnders.”
Another declared: “How stupid is this storyline (laughing face) Jay would NEVER do that to Lexi,” whilst a third added: “Yeah, we’re never seeing this kid unless Jay gets recast.
Jay Brown and Lexi Mitchell have always had a close bond(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
“Jay had more action offscreen in the last couple of years than he has onscreen in the last 10 or so years. Really ruined his character tbh. What a shame,” commented one disappointed fan, while another simply wrote: “I’m crying.”
Jamie Borthwick, 31, portrayed Jay on the BBC programme since joining the cast in 2006. He faced suspension in early 2025 for using an offensive term whilst appearing on Strictly Come Dancing.
A spokesperson for BBC Studios confirmed: “We can confirm that Jamie Borthwick will not be returning to EastEnders. We do not comment on individual matters.”
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One and iPlayer
