EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick has said his character Jay Brown is set to "hit rock bottom" in upcoming episodes.
In recent weeks, viewers have seen Jay turn to drugs in an attempt to numb his grief following his wife Lola's death. His downward spiral is set to continue on the BBC soap.
Borthwick said of his character's storyline: "He's low, he’s hit rock bottom. He doesn’t know where to turn which is why he’s resulted to taking drugs. It seems to be problem after problem for him and it’s probably the lowest he’s ever felt."
He has been attempting to hide his turmoil from his loved ones, but Billy senses something is amiss and Jay finally confides his troubles.
"They've been through a hell of a lot together," the soap star said. "Billy is someone he does look up to and is someone he feels could help him.
"So, as much as he doesn’t want to talk about it, at least it’s to Billy because he can understand because he’s had his own troubles and dramas in the past."
However, things soon come crashing down for Jay after an event in The Vic when Ben "outs Jay for the whole Nadine situation", leaving him in hot water with Billy.
To make matters worse "Lexi hears all and she’s the last person that Jay wants to find out", the actor said.
"When this does come out and it jeopardises his relationship with Lexi, naturally Jay cannot cope as this is the worst thing to happen to him besides Lola dying – it is his worst nightmare.
Jay, left with no one in his corner, turns to Gina for support. It's not long before she gets a warning from her family not to get involved.
"George finds drugs in Jay’s bag and naturally George is very protective over his daughter because she’s had her own troubles", Borthwick explained.
"Obviously from his point of view, there is no way that this boy is getting in the way of his daughter's progression away from drugs. George wants Jay away from Gina – he sees him as a threat."
Jay's downward spiral picks up speed as the week progresses, culminating in an accident that leaves him desperate to leave Walford.
The 29-year-old soap star said: "There is an accident at the house and after that, Jay just cannot cope anymore. He needs to get away from Walford because being around there is just causing nothing but carnage.
"He tries to persuade Gina to come with him to Margate - he wants to go back there because him and Lola had spent some time there together. Gina says she is going to go, but doesn’t end up coming.
"So, on a whim and under the influence, he drives to Margate, but it doesn’t quite go to plan."
EastEnders airs on RTÉ One, RTÉ Player and BBC One Monday to Thursday.
