EastEnders first as BBC give fans chance to star on soap – here’s how to make your Walford debut
EASTENDERS will celebrate an exciting new first later this year when Jay Brown and Honey Mitchell run the London Marathon.
It was revealed on Christmas Day that Jay’s late wife Lola (Danielle Harold) signed them up before she died.
Jamie Borthwick, who plays Jay and Emma Barton, who plays Honey, will actually run this year’s marathon on April 21. They’ll be in character and filmed as they complete the marathons, though reportedly raising money for their own charities.
Scenes from the marathon are then expected to appear in the soap the following week.
This will mark the first time the BBC incorporates the world famous marathon into the soap. And it may also give EastEnders fans the opportunity to make their Walford debut.
With cameras following Jamie, 29, and Emma, 46, along the actual route, anyone who is out supporting the runners could appear in the background, with the scenes then potentially appearing on the soap.
Speaking about the storyline which sprang up at Christmas, Jamie said: “It’s obviously sad and quite tricky — the first Christmas after a loss like that is always hard. But Lola left Jay a nice present on Christmas Day, which he was very surprised by.”
“He’s certainly shocked!” he said of his character Jay, adding, “he didn’t expect it, but he takes it on with an open mind and has a ‘go for it’ attitude.
“He’s been set the task, and he wants to do it for Lola and for Lexi.
“It’s great that Lola has given Jay this challenge because it’s something to focus on and hopefully to stop him spiralling again,” Jamie continued, adding that “Lola’s daughter Lexi will be there to encourage him through training.”
While this is a first for Jay and EastEnders, actor Jamie has ran the marathon before. He and Emma both took part in 2019.
Jamie has now begun his training and told The Sun he’s excited about the upcoming challenge. He said: “I’m really pleased to be taking part in the London Marathon.
“EastEnders is a London show, and as far as I’m aware, we’ve never shown it before on screen, so I’m really excited to be a part of it, although I swore I would never run it again after the last time!”
The soap’s executive producer Chris Clenshaw added: “The London marathon is a landmark occasion in the capital, and therefore we’re thrilled to celebrate our city and offer our viewers a never-before-seen glimpse of the momentous day through the characters of Jay and Honey as they take part in the event.
“Lola’s death had a profound effect on the residents of Walford and this storyline will continue to follow her loved ones as they attempt to come to terms with her death and honour her legacy.”
It’s been reported that EastEnders will include scenes of Jay training in the run up to the big event.
