Jay Brown (previously Mitchell) is the son of Jase Dyer and Karen Brown, as well as being the foster son of Billy Mitchell. He is the widower of Lola Pearce-Brown. He made his first appearance on 14 December 2006 and last on 19 August 2025. He was portrayed by Jamie Borthwick.
Backstory[]
On 2 May 2023, Jay recalls when his grandmother was still alive at Easter and she had bought him Easter eggs, but she had ate half of them. All they had to eat on the day was chocolate. There was an old film on the television, Jay mentions she loved them, she'd be sitting on the sofa, stuffing her face, saying all the lines along with the 1940s actresses, all dramatically. This made Jay laugh and when Jay was being sick in the toilet she would say "You know, I told you not to eat all that chocolate, I told you so!", despite her being the one to suggest eating all the chocolate.
Storylines[]
2006-2011: Arrival, stabbing, Jase's death and joining the Mitchells[]
2012-2017: Heather's murder, taking drugs and problems with Linzi[]
2018-2023: Failed relationships, marrying and losing Lola and ketamine addiction[]
Max attempts to return the car lot to Jay, but he says he doesn't want anything from him.
In 2020, Jay entered a relationship with Honey, which caused a strain on his relationship with Billy. The two came to blows multiple times, and on 28 July 2022, when Lexi Pearce starts a rumour of Jay cheating on her with Lola, the two split up, but not due to the rumours, Honey realises the two want different things, with Jay wanting to go on nights out and Honey wanting to focus on her job as market inspector. Jay later has a heart to heart with Lola on the bench in the square gardens. On 1 September 2022, Jay sees Callum in Bridge Street and talks about him advertising for a roommate. Jay convinces Callum that him and Ben will be back together soon, but Callum assures him they won't. Jay then agrees to moving in with Callum temporarily to give Honey some space. Jay and Callum knock on the door of no.45 to let Ben know that Jay is moving in with Callum, Kathy says she'll pass the message on. When Lexi comes downstairs and sees them, Callum asks how Lexi did at her exam, and she tells him he passed. Lexi checks her phone, and finds a message from Ben, with him sounding drunk, alarming them all. Lola then takes Lexi to watch TV. Callum and Jay say they'll go look for him, and Kathy accompanies them. Kathy later splits from them, but Callum and Jay find Ben and Kathy shortly finds them. The three layer follow Phil to the hospital, where Ben once again stops breathing and the nurses begin resuscitation again. Jay later goes home to check on Lola and Lexi.
On 15 August 2022, Jay approaches Honey and asks if it's okay for him to come over and collect his stuff. Honey says it's okay anytime after 4 o'clock, as she's expecting a "royal visitor" today, Mr Lister. Honey then asks Jay if Callum knows about his CD he needs to get to sleep, and Jay says it was one time after he had nightmares about getting shipwrecked. Jay then leaves. Jay later tells Stuart that he's had three complaints about him and that he's going to have to let him go from the funeral parlour.
On 16 August 2022, Jay tells Callum about him firing Stuart, and he's annoyed. Callum then gets a text from Ben, asking to meet for a coffee. Callum says he's not going as he needs to check on Stuart, but Jay convinces him to go by telling Callum he will check on Stuart, and Callum accepts, but says it's not him giving Ben a second chance. Jay and Callum later make meet again and Jay that reveals Stuart wasn't home, but he signed for a delivery. He then shows Callum the delivery, which turns out to be a coffin plaque in his name, which alarms them.
Later, when Rainie asks him to hire her and Stuart again, he's unable to as Pam won't allow him. When the two leave Walford, Jay lets them take a hearse as he has insurance and there were no witnesses. Jay is present on Kat and Phil's wedding day when Kim Fox, Lola and Lexi discuss whether the wedding will happen. Jay later helps Vi Highway alongside Lola and Ben when she struggles to pack up and move out by herself. However, he does not realise that Vi and Lola are trying to get Ben and Callum back together.
Later on the same day, Jay complains that Lanky is getting promoted, and tells Ben and Callum that he does not want to celebrate his birthday. Lola organises a surprise party for Jay, but due to Jay's reluctance to leave his home, Ben and Callum are forced to tell him the truth about the party. Eventually, he agrees to go, and acts like the party was a secret. Lola realises that Jay knew, and this starts an argument between them, with Jay saying that birthdays remind him of his 21st - when Lola dumped him for Dexter. In doing so, he calls Lola the love of his life. She runs away to the office, but is attacked by Jonah Tyler's thugs. She manages to escape them, and runs into the bar, asking for help. Phil, Billy, Kat and Alfie manage to knock out Jonah and his thugs. Later, an ambulance is called and it turns out that Lola has broken her arm. Billy and Jay both want to go with Lola in the ambulance, but as there is only space for one person, Jay lets Billy go, yet follows behind. At the hospital, Jay gets annoyed at the receptionist due to the lack of information he and Billy are being given. Jay and Lola both apologise to each other for their argument, and Tom video calls him alongside Linda, Honey, Kim and other punters in the Vic singing him 'Happy Birthday'. Billy tells Lola in secret that Jay still loves Lola, and that they should both get back together. When they later return home, Lola kisses Jay. He asks her if this means anything and after slight reluctance, they both admit to loving each other and start dating.
The next morning, Lola and Jay have slept together. Lola tells Jay that she doesn't want to tell Lexi about them yet, causing Jay to get annoyed. Jay later jokes with Alfie about a funeral for a married gigolo who died mid-sex with his mistress. Alfie tries to borrow some flowers from the funeral to give to Kat, but Jay stops him, claiming that it's creepy. Jay visits Lola on her lunch break and gifts her a necklace. Jay and Lola later attend Joan and Cecil's fake wedding.
Martin and Zack meet Amber and Jenny who they set up a double date with, however Zack later bails. As Martin doesn't want to be alone, he asks Jay to be the other girl's date, and as Jay and Lola are still a secret, they agree, Lola argues with Jay when he tell her about this, protesting that he should've made up an excuse, Lola grows increasingly jealous as the date progresses. Jay leaves the date, claiming he's got a headache and tells Lola that he wants to go public and they can raise Lexi together. The next day, Jay and Lola tell Martin but ask him to keep it a secret as Lexi doesn't know yet. Lexi later gets suspicious when she sees a message with hearts from Jay on Lola's phone. Martin tells Lily about Jay and Lola and she congratulates them in front of Lexi and Ben, causing Lexi to storm off. Lexi forgives them when they apologise at McKlunky's, so long as they never lie to her, sneak off around her and promise to keep her informed. She writes them list of gifts to buy her to make up for lying, which include a pony. Lola fulfills half of Lexi's requests, including accessories for her pageant. Jay, Honey, Billy, Ben, Callum and Will attend the pageant. Lola goes to the bathroom with Jay's assistance as she feels tire, dizzy and her head starts to hurt, She ends up shaking and collapses alone in the bathroom. Jay finds her on the floor and Ben calls an ambulance, despite Lola's protests. Jay agrees to video call Lexi from the hospital. At the hospital, they befriend Jim and Eileen who tell Jay not to let Lola get away this time. Dr Burgess tells Lola that they have found a tumour in Lola's brain during her CT scan, which is most likely cancerous.
The next morning, Lola video calls Lexi and Ben and lies that she only has one more scan left and it's all looking good. It's implied that Lexi has won the pageant. Dr Burgess tells Lola and Jay that her MRI results confirm that she has a glioblastoma multiforme, a fast-growing type of cancer. Jay is distraught, whilst Lola immediately asks about treatment. When Dr Burgess tells her that surgery may not be a 'cure', Lola is in denial, saying that she has important things in life, including Lexi and her job. She is booked into surgery for the following week and asked to stay in hospital until then. Lola wants to leave as she promised Lexi to be home by the end of the day, but Jay tells her it would be best to stay. Lola is told that her medication has hopefully reduced the brain swelling, so she can be discharged until her surgery if she takes a longer course of medication - Dr Burgess advises against this. When the doctor warns Lola that surgery may not remove all the cancer, Lola and Jay wonder what happens then. They are told that in this scenario, Lola would then have to go on radiotherapy and chemotherapy, making Lola upset as she thinks that nobody would want her to be their hairdresser if she has no hair.
Jay and Lola argue when they are leaving - Jay says that she hasn't fully heard out the doctor but Lola believes that with a bit of surgery this will all be gone. When they return home, Lola lies to Billy and Honey saying that she is fine but needs to go back the following week for some tests. Jay thinks she should tell the truth but Lola doesn't want to as she doesn't want Billy to worry about her or treat her differently. Lola collapses on exiting the cafe, and becomes worried of having to tell everyone about her cancer. Later that night, Lola tells Billy, Honey and Ben the truth. Billy is in denial and upset whilst Honey and Lola try to be positive. Lola asks them to keep it a secret form everyone, including, Lexi, however they do not realise she is listening from the stairs.
The next day, Billy and Ben are both visibly struggling with this news. Lexi, Callum (who now knows about the cancer), Ben and Jay visit Lola in hospital. Ben tells Lola that Lexi knows about the cancer, but none of the details. Lola regrets not telling her. Ben recalls to when he was Lexi's age and Ian told him about Kathy's cancer, saying that it's no age to deal with death but Lola cuts him off, saying that she's ill but not dead yet. Ben tells Lola that Lexi is going to struggle when Lola gets more ill and she becomes upset, saying that she can't protect Lexi like a good mum should.
At the hospital, Lola explains to Lexi about what the cancer is. She tells her the tumour is a lump inside of her head where her brain should be. Lexi asks if it is her fault for overworking Lola at the pageant but Lola and Ben reassure her that it is nobody's fault. She promises to be around for a long time and Jay leaves the room in tears. Ben comforts Jay by telling her that hospitals often react, and Jay says that he can't leave her after just getting her back.
On the day of the surgery, Lexi becomes upset at Halloween when Lola can't take her trick-or-treating, so Ben and Callum offer to take her place but Lexi says that she doesn't want to go without Lola. At the hospital, Lola is briefed for her surgery by Mr Reeves who tells her that they will remove the tumour in order to get a diagnosis, but he doubts that they will get more than that out. Lexi, Ben and Callum visit Lola at the hospital in Halloween costumes. Jay gets annoyed at Ben, saying that Lola is tired. Lexi fantasizes about the next Halloween, making Lola and Jay upset. Later at the Vic, Jay tells Tom about the tumour and asks him not to tell anyone, including Kathy.
Justin tells Lola not to worry about hair loss, as Mr Reeves is good at keeping hair loss to a minimum. He also tells her that there is a wide range of realistic wigs, before offering her a drink to highlight the tumour during surgery. Jay, Billy and Honey are unable to visit the hospital during Lola's surgery as Jay has two funerals and Billy and Lola are going to his plea hearing. Mitch and Tom help Jay with a funeral after he is let down at the last minute, allowing him to visit Lola at the hospital. Honey and Billy later escort Lola to the operating theatre alongside Jay. Lola and Jay say "I love you" to each other.
Billy and Jay stay with Lola post-operation, where Jay says that he's stayed with her all night. Billy tries to persuade Jay to go home to sleep and take a shower, but Jay says that he will not leave until Lola wakes up. Honey later arrives at hospital and waits with Billy and Jay for Lola to wake up. Jay overhears Mr Reeves and Dr Smith talking about a patient who's surgery went well, and can thusly be released in a few days. Jay tells Honey and Billy, but Billy is sceptical as a name was not said during the overheard conversation. Lola wakes up and Jay tells her that they got all of the tumour. Billy later shouts at Jay for this, as he is giving Lola 'false hope'.
Mr Reeves tells Jay, Billy and Lola that he was able to take out some of the tumour, but he was unable to remove it all. He tells them that this is a fast-growing tumour, so they can administer medication to slow the growth, but it is not curable. Lola and Jay start sobbing after she says "he [Mr Reeves] thinks I'm going to die". Jay starts to argue with Mr Reeves, saying that he must have got his records wrong until Lola asks Jay and Billy to leave. Billy starts to shout at Jay whilst Jay sobs and tells Ben and Honey what Mr Reeves said.
Jay later returns to Lola and apologises for getting her hopes up. She tells him she asked Mr Reeves to leave as she wasn't ready to hear it, and that she's terrified. Billy talks to Honey in the waiting room, saying that Lola is too young for this. He says he always hoped that Jay and her would get married and have more kids and have their own family. He gets upset thinking about what will happen to Lexi and says that if he could swap places with Lola, he would. Honey tells him that they need to be strong for Lola.
Lola, surrounded by Ben, Honey, Billy and Jay, video calls Lexi from the hospital. She tells Lexi that the operation worked and that she would be home soon. After the call, Lola gets upset, saying that she promised Lexi to not lie to her again. Billy and Honey says she did the right thing to protect Lexi.
Mr Reeves informs Lola about different forms of treatment including radiotherapy, which would involve Lola coming in daily for six weeks. She says she wants to continue work to keep things as normal for Lexi as possible before she dies. Lola and her visitors are introduced to Alex, a specialist brain tumour nurse. Jay, Ben, Billy and Honey promise to be with Lola every step of the way.
The next day, all of Lola's relatives are in a sombre mood. Ben, Callum and Lexi visit Jay and Lola at the hospital after school, where Callum says that Lexi can stay with them if she needs time alone.
Lola returns home the next day, and Jay reassures her that he hasn't told anyone. Linda and Sharon comment that Lola is wobbly, but it's nice that she has Jay. He makes her a brownie and buys her an illegal USB that allows her to watch any show. Lola says she wants to eat out, but Jay and her agree to get fish and chips so that she gets fresh air but doesn't overwork herself. Shortly after, Jay and Lola speak to Denise who says that she can return to salon whenever she wants.
Ben tells Lola that she needs to tell Lexi that the tumour hasn't disappeared and that things will only get worse from here - Billy and Jay agree with this but Lola disagrees and angrily storms out. Later on, Lexi goes missing but is shortly found in the park. Lexi finds a letter addressed to Lola regarding her brain tumour and gets angry with Lola, the pair eventually have a heartfelt conversation and Lola truthfully educates Lexi on the tumour and what'll happen in the future.
In November 2022, Lola and her family go into the pub. Lexi is caught by Linda for drinking wine, Lola soon hears Janine gossiping about Lexi and hears her call Lexi feral. Lola stands up to Janine and angrily calls her out, they get into an argument when Lola suddenly collapses, Janine instantly prejudges that Lola is drunk, which causes Lexi to furiously shout "She's not drunk! She's got cancer!" leaving the whole pub in shock, Billy tells everyone that Lexi is just confused but Lola denies this and confirms that she really does have cancer, Jay supports Lola and speaks out about the tumour too.
On Christmas Day, Jay proposes to Lola in a snowy setting, however to Jay's surprise, Lola rejects him and says no because she believes that Jay wouldn't be able to take care of her properly due to the tumour. Some time later, Lola eventually says yes to Jay and the wedding goes ahead. Lola decides that she wants to reunite with her mum before she dies, although she dismisses this thought later on. Billy doesn't dismiss this thought though and he tracks down Emma Harding, Lola's mum, in an attempt to persuade her to come to the wedding as Lola wished for, Emma states that she thinks Lola would be better off without reuniting with her and then she disappears, and doesn't attend the wedding. On the bright side, Lola and Jay finally get married after Lola arrives late because of a minor health scare.
Lola mentions to Emma that she is having money issues regarding her and Jay's honeymoon. Soon after, a large sum of money is anonymously posted through the letterbox for Lola and Jay. From what Emma had learnt, a young girl at Lexi's school had been picking on her for Lola's diagnosis, so Emma chooses to go to the school for a confrontation and warns the young girl to leave Lexi alone. After a few more appointments, Lola and Emma suddenly begin to argue and Lola accuses Emma of being a stalker, Billy and Jay arrive and based off of what Billy said, Lola realises that Emma is her mum, to which Emma confirms with a nod.
In March 2023, Lola devastatingly finds out she only has six months left to live, Lola is distraught and struggles to process this but Jay supports her. Lola eventually tells her close family about this which quickly gets emotional, Emma is saddened by this because she's only just found Lola and she's already being taken away from her. Lexi reveals that she has been secretly saving for Lola, however Lola unfortunately says that there is nothing that can be done to fix this anymore and reassures Lexi that she tried her best and gave it all she had, but it just didn't go her way. Later, Emma struggles to cope with the grief and visits Lola at her home and announces that she'll be moving to America but won't say where specifically. Lola and Jay are angered by this and argue with Emma, Emma says she'll still call Lola and speak to her, but Lola doesn't care.
As Lola's health deteriorates once again, Lola goes into hospital and she discovers that the months she had left had now turned into weeks. Lola cannot cope anymore and makes the choice of asking Billy to help her die her own way, mainly because she doesn't want Lexi to see her die like that and because Lola is scared to die naturally. Billy refuses and says that he cannot do that, however he later changes his mind and accepts to help her die. Some days later, Lola has a dream of being in Margate once again, her childhood home. She begs Jay to take her to Margate one last time before she dies, so Jay breaks Lola out of hospital and the two go to Margate for a day out.
Lola and Jay enjoy their day in Margate and reminisce about the past and some good times. Later on in Margate, Lola steals a necklace for Lexi intended for when she's older, but Jay takes the blame for this theft, however the shopkeeper chooses not to press charges due to Lola's tumour. Lola eventually tells Jay about wanting to die her own way rather than naturally, Jay takes this the wrong way and gets angry with Lola but after Lola explains her reasons, Jay accepts Lola's decision so long as he can help her to die. Lola later on changes her mind and states that she'll die naturally for Lexi's sake and the risk of setting a bad example.
Lola returns home days later, her condition worsens to a point where she repeatedly loses consciousness and the ability to talk. Suzanne, a palliative care nurse, begins to support Lola and her family, Suzanne sadly announces that it's now the time for everyone to say their goodbyes to Lola. The next day, as the sun beams into her bedroom, Lola peacefully passes away at dawn with Jay and Lexi beside her on her bed.
Lola's coffin is opened to the residents of Walford to write messages on for her. Jay doesn't cope well the day before the funeral and ends up drinking. The day of the funeral arrives and Lola's family and friends attend to say their final goodbyes and pay their respects, Emma shows up with some flowers but quickly leaves. It is later revealed that Lola and Lexi had recorded a video about how amazing Jay was and how he needed to carry on living his life to the fullest even after her death.
After the funeral, Jay is distraught and seems lost, yet tries his best to remain strong for Lexi. When Gina Knight tries to flirt with him, he rejects her, but they both apologise the next day and agree to remain as friends.
Jay continues to worry about Lexi, especially during the build-up to her first day at Secondary School. He breaks down after seeing Lola's video to Lexi about her first day of school. After Ben tells Jay about his eating disorder, he is glad that Ben is getting help and tries to support Ben.
When Emma returns, Jay and Ben both agree that she should not be allowed to see Lexi. It turns out that Jay has been walking at night to try and become tired, but ends up walking all night. He meets Nadine after a night of walking and is shocked by her likeness to Lola. The two chat together and Jay feels comforted by her company, however the moment quickly becomes awkward and Jay makes a sudden departure. The following day, Jay apologises to Nadine and they go for a drink in The Albert and put the past behind them and dismiss the previous night. Nadine invites Jay to her place but she attempts to seduce Jay. He refuses this, Jay later begins sleeping with Nadine but they do not have sex, Callum later sees Jay entering Nadine's flat. Callum later encourages Nadine to stay away from Jay but Jay later goes to to see Nadine and ends up doing cocaine with her after he had spotted it on her table.
When Callum finds out about the drugs, he gets mad and tells Jay to stop. The argument ends with Jay punching Callum in the face. Both later apologise, but Jay continues to use the drugs. Callum calls the police on Nadine, which causes Jay to be involved (as she was selling him drugs). He ends up with a caution. Jay shouts at Callum for calling the police, but Callum defends himself, claiming it was his duty as a police officer.
The nightmare continues for Jay when Ben is told by Jack Branning about the drugs. From this point onwards it all goes downhill. Ben confronts Jay and Callum and says to Jay it is his final chance. A drunk Jay then has sex with Nadine. When Nadine finds Jay in the pub Ben overhears Nadine saying 'it was just sex' and kicks Jay out. Billy finds Jay in the parking lot the next day and organises a Mitchell family meeting. When Ben sees Gina rubbing Jay's back he tells Billy about Nadine and Billy kicks Jay out with Lexi overhearing it all. The next day Gina and Jay try to make up to the Mitchells with a box of chocolates. This turned out to be a disaster. Billy disowns Jay and whilst arguing Jay drops Lola's ashes and Lexi finds out. Jay then goes to Margate and is involved in an accident which Billy, Ben, Callum, George Knight and Gina all find out about after Jay is kicked out of The Queen Victoria by George and Linda Carter. Billy and Ben apologise to an unconscious Jay and beg him to wake up. Jay later wakes up and when asked to provide breathalyser Kim and Ben encouraged Jay to refuse so he doesn't get sentenced for dangerous driving, Jay refuses to give them a breathalyser. On Christmas Eve 2023, Honey gives Jay a video from Lola, Jay later watches the video in the car lot.
2024-2025: Being conned by Nadine, running a marathon and fundraising for Lola[]
On 15 January 2024, Jay attends Sal's funeral after the Mitchell's were made aware the prior week that Sal had died. Jay sees Dean and Gina together in the ally way outside the Vic and realises they're together, Gina tells Jay not to say anything.
Honey and Jay continue to train for the marathon and do multiple runs around the square, training sessions and other ways to prepare. They are faced with a challenge when Ben is arrested for fraud and sent to prison for 6 years, which means Jay and Callum have to majorly step up to support Lexi as father figures. In April 2024, Nadine suddenly returns to the square and reveals she is pregnant with Jay's baby. Jay is initially happy though his family are dismissive, he supports her and gives her money, and lets the family meet her. On the flip side, Honey and Jay successfully run the marathon and complete it, with family supporting them, Jay later makes a speech for Lola after running the marathon as one of her dying wishes. Later, after a few weeks, Stevie Mitchell, Billy's father, reveals that the whole pregnancy is a scam and Nadine is in fact not pregnant. Jay is shocked and threatens to call the police, though she convinces him not to and leaves him be. Jay is annoyed but doesn't let it bring him down and he continues to support Lexi and bond with family.
An opportunity arises for a fundraiser night for Lola's one year memorial, so Jay arranges a talent show night for music, karaoke and other acts for Walford Residents to participate in, to bring in some money. The night goes well and Jay sings the same song from Margate to the Vic. Although, the situation turns negative when the money is stolen. The Mitchell's look into it and discover Will and Stevie were linked to it. In time, Jay employs Lauren at the car lot.
On 17 September 2025, Lauren confirms that Jay has left to look after Bert who is sick.
Kill count[]
Connected murders and deaths[]
- Heather Trott (19 March 2012) (association) - Reluctantly helped Ben Mitchell cover up the murder after witnessing him kill her.
Employment history[]
| Occupation | Years active |
|---|---|
| Student | Prior to 2006-2011 |
| Mechanic | 2011-2015 |
| Drug Dealer | 2016 |
| Businessman | 2016- |
| Manager of Coker & Mitchell Funeral Directors | 2016- |
| Owner of Square Dealz | 2017- |
Residence[]
| Address | Years |
|---|---|
| 89B George Street | 2008 |
| Unnamed care home | 2008 |
| The Queen Victoria | 2008-2010 |
| 43B Albert Square | 2009, 2010 |
| 55 Victoria Road | 2010-2012, 2013-2017 |
| 3A Albert Square | 2010 |
| 18 Albert Square | 2017-2022, 2022-2023 |
| 29B Albert Square | 2022, 2023- |
Fight count[]
Punches[]
- Ben Mitchell (13 July 2010) (x2) (during sparring)
- Connor Stanley (7 December 2010)
- Max Branning (24 March 2011)
- Dexter Hartman (10 January 2013)
- Frankie Byrne (6 September 2016)
- Ben Mitchell (24 August 2017) (x2) (during a fight with Ben)
- Callum Highway (11 October 2023)
Total: 7
Individual characters punched: 6
Total punches: 9
Notes[]
- After being suspended in June 2025 for inappropriate language on the set of Strictly Come Dancing, it was announced in September 2025 that Jay had been axed from the show, and wouldn't be returning from his suspension, making his brief appearance in 19 August 2025 his last.