Editing EastEnders (section)

==Reception and impact==
{{More|EastEnders in popular culture|List of awards and nominations received by EastEnders}}
''EastEnders'' has received both praise and criticism for most of its storylines, which have dealt with difficult themes including violence, rape, murder and child abuse. Since its premiere in 1985, ''EastEnders'' has had a large impact on British popular culture and has frequently been referred to in many different media, including songs and television programmes.

=== Initial response ===
The show's first broadcast saw a mixed reaction from viewers. A ''[[Sunday People]]'' poll of 600 viewers showed 56% of respondents did not enjoy the episode, as the audience were unsure about the show's "coarse" and "bawdy" dialogue.<ref name="Made" /> ''[[The Guardian]]'' critic Hugh Herbert wrote that it would "probably take a year before anyone knows whether the BBC has got it right".<ref name="Made" /> The show, regardless, became one of the [[BBC]]'s most successful shows of the 1980s, which was credited with the reveal that [[Den Watts]] was the father of [[Michelle Fowler]]'s baby.<ref name="Made" /> Following the first broadcast, the show was also criticised by [[Cockney]] viewers for lacking humour and realism.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cq6g3qlv2m6o |title=Cockneys reviewing first EastEnders in 1985: 'Show lacks humour' |date=15 February 2025 |access-date=16 February 2025 |website=BBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250216172400/https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cq6g3qlv2m6o |archive-date=16 February 2025 }}</ref>

=== Morality and violence ===
[[Mary Whitehouse]], social critic, argued at the time that ''EastEnders'' represented a violation of "family viewing time" and that it undermined the [[watershed (television)|watershed]] policy. She regarded ''EastEnders'' as a fundamental assault on the family and morality itself. She made reference to representation of family life and emphasis on psychological and emotional violence within the show. She was also critical of language such as "bleeding", "bloody hell", "bastard" and "for Christ's sake"; however, Whitehouse also praised the programme, describing [[Michelle Fowler]]'s decision not to have an abortion as a "very positive storyline". She also felt that ''EastEnders'' had been cleaned up as a result of her protests, though she later commented that ''EastEnders'' had returned to its old ways. Her criticisms were widely reported in the tabloid press as ammunition in its existing hostility towards the BBC. The stars of ''Coronation Street'' in particular aligned themselves with Mary Whitehouse, gaining headlines such as "STREETS AHEAD! RIVALS LASH SEEDY EASTENDERS" and "CLEAN UP SOAP! Street Star Bill Lashes "Steamy" EastEnders".<ref>{{Harvnb|Buckingham|1987|p=129}}</ref>

''EastEnders'' has been criticised for being too violent, most notably during a [[domestic violence]] storyline between [[Little Mo Morgan]] ([[Kacey Ainsworth]]) and her husband [[Trevor Morgan (EastEnders)|Trevor Morgan]] ([[Alex Ferns]]). As ''EastEnders'' is shown pre-watershed, there were worries that some scenes in this storyline were too graphic for its audience. Complaints against a scene in which Little Mo's face was pushed in gravy on Christmas Day were upheld by the Broadcasting Standards Council; however, a helpline after this episode attracted over 2000 calls. [[Erin Pizzey]], who became internationally famous for having started one of the first [[women's refuges]], said that ''EastEnders'' had done more to raise the issue of violence against women in one story than she had done in 25 years.<ref>{{cite web|title=EastEnders: Faith, Morality and Hope in the Community|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/speeches/stories/yorke_stalbans.shtml|publisher=[[BBC]]|access-date=30 April 2017|date=4 September 2002}}</ref> The character of [[Phil Mitchell]] (played by [[Steve McFadden]] since early 1990) has been criticised on several occasions for glorifying violence and proving a bad role model to children. On one occasion following a scene in an episode broadcast in October 2002, where Phil brutally beat his godson, [[Jamie Mitchell]] ([[Jack Ryder (actor)|Jack Ryder]]), 31 complaints came from viewers.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2712133.stm BBC rapped over EastEnders] BBC News, last accessed on 31 January 2003</ref>

In 2003, cast member [[Shaun Williamson]], who was in the final months of his role of [[Barry Evans (EastEnders)|Barry Evans]], said that the programme had become much grittier over the past 10 to 15 years, and found it "frightening" that parents let their young children watch.<ref>{{cite news|title=EastEnders star slates violence |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3358789.stm |access-date=19 June 2011 |work=BBC News |date=31 December 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114003111/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3358789.stm |archive-date=14 November 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2005, the BBC was accused of anti-religious bias by a [[House of Lords]] committee, who cited ''EastEnders'' as an example. [[Indarjit Singh]], editor of the Sikh Messenger and patron of the World Congress of Faiths, said: "''EastEnders''{{'}} Dot Cotton is an example. She quotes endlessly from the Bible and it ridicules religion to some extent."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2005/nov/02/bbc.radio|title=BBC accused of anti-religious bias|last=Day|first=Julia|date=2 November 2005|work=The Guardian |access-date=24 May 2011|location=London}}</ref> In July 2010, complaints were received following the storyline of Christian minister [[Lucas Johnson]] ([[Don Gilet]]) committing a number of murders that he believed was his duty to God, claiming that the storyline was offensive to Christians.<ref name="BBC defends">{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a242230/bbc-defends-eastenders-lucas-storyline/|title=BBC defends "EastEnders" Lucas storyline|last=Love|first=Ryan|date=12 July 2010|website=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=13 July 2010|location=London}}</ref>

In 2008, ''EastEnders'', along with ''Coronation Street'', was criticised by [[Martin McGuinness]], then Northern Ireland's deputy first minister, for "the level of concentration around the pub" and the "antics portrayed in The [...] Queen Vic".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7245701.stm|title=McGuinness slams alcohol in soaps|date=14 February 2008|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=12 April 2017}}</ref>

In 2017, viewers complained on Twitter about scenes implying that [[Keanu Taylor]] ([[Danny Walters (actor)|Danny Walters]]) is the father of his 15-year-old sister [[Bernadette Taylor]]'s ([[Clair Norris]]) unborn baby, with the pair agreeing to keep the pregnancy secret from their mother, [[Karen Taylor (EastEnders)|Karen Taylor]] ([[Lorraine Stanley]]); however, the baby's father is revealed as one of Bernadette's school friends.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/826164/EastEnders-spoilers-Viewers-APPALLED-shocking-INCEST-storyline-Bernadette-Taylors-Keanu|title=EastEnders spoilers: Viewers APPALLED by shocking INCEST storyline 'Step too far'|date=7 July 2017|access-date=3 December 2018|work=Daily Express}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/826416/EastEnders-incest-story-Keanu-Bernadette-BBC-ratings|title=EastEnders "falls to lowest-ever ratings" as SHOCK incest storyline sickens viewers|date=8 July 2017|access-date=3 December 2018|work=Daily Express}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/827085/EastEnders-incest-bombshell-Keanu-Taylor-Danny-Walters-Karen-Taylor-Lorraine-Stanley|title=EastEnders spoiler: Truth about incest storyline EXPOSED as Keanu drops THIS bombshell|date=10 July 2017|access-date=3 December 2018|work=Daily Express}}</ref>

=== Allegations of national and racial stereotypes ===
In 1997, [[EastEnders episodes in Ireland|several episodes were shot and set in Ireland]], resulting in criticisms for portraying the Irish in a negatively stereotypical way. Ted Barrington, the Irish ambassador to the UK at the time, described the portrayal of Ireland as an "unrepresentative caricature", stating he was worried by the negative stereotypes and the images of drunkenness, backwardness and isolation. [[Jana Bennett]], the BBC's then director of production, later apologised for the episodes, stating on BBC1's news bulletin: "It is clear that a significant number of viewers have been upset by the recent episodes of ''EastEnders'', and we are very sorry, because the production team and programme makers did not mean to cause any offence." A year later BBC chairman Christopher Bland admitted that as result of the Irish-set EastEnders episodes, the station failed in its pledge to represent all groups accurately and avoid reinforcing prejudice.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/172718.stm BBC sets out pledges], BBC News. Retrieved 21 June 2007.</ref>

In 2008, the show was criticised for stereotyping their Asian and Black characters, by having a black single mother, [[Denise Fox]] ([[Diane Parish]]), and an Asian shopkeeper, [[Zainab Masood]] ([[Nina Wadia]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/news/a112057/report-brands-soaps-quottoo-whitequot/ |title=Report brands soaps "too white" |website=[[Digital Spy]] |first=Alex |last=Fletcher |date=17 July 2008 |access-date=4 November 2009}}</ref> There has been criticism that the programme does not authentically portray the ethnic diversity of the population of East London,<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Assoudani|first1=Yacine|title=Where did EastEnders go wrong?|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2013/10/where-did-eastenders-go-wrong|access-date=24 June 2016|magazine=New Statesman|date=16 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/mar/04/former-eastenders-producer-tv-industry-diversity-barbara-emile|title=Former EastEnders producer: TV industry must "get real" on diversity|author=Stuart Kemp|website=The Guardian|date=4 March 2015|access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref> with the programme being "twice as white" as the real East End.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/10921204/EastEnders-is-too-white-says-BBC-Trust-chief.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/10921204/EastEnders-is-too-white-says-BBC-Trust-chief.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=EastEnders is too white, says BBC Trust chief|date=23 June 2014|website=Telegraph.co.uk|access-date=9 August 2015|last1=Singh|first1=Anita}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

=== Controversial storylines ===
In 1992, writer [[David Yallop]] successfully sued the BBC for £68,000 after it was revealed he had been hired by producer [[Mike Gibbon]] in 1989 to pen several controversial storylines in an effort to "slim down" the cast; however, after Gibbon left the programme, executive producers chose not to use Yallop's storylines, which put the BBC in breach of the contract Yallop had signed with them.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/eastenders-writer-wins-pounds-68-000-from-bbc-1557818.html|title='EastEnders' writer wins pounds 68,000 from BBC|date=16 October 2019 |newspaper=The Independent}}</ref> Unused storylines penned by Yallop, which were revealed in the press during the trial, included the death of [[Cindy Beale]]'s ([[Michelle Collins]]) infant son [[Steven Beale|Steven]]; [[Karim family|Sufia Karim]] (Rani Singh) being killed during a shotgun raid at the corner shop; [[Pauline Fowler]] ([[Wendy Richard]]) dying of undiscovered cancer;<ref>Wiggins, Lizzie, p.149</ref> and an [[Irish Republican Army|IRA]] explosion at the Walford community centre, killing [[Pete Beale]] ([[Peter Dean (actor)|Peter Dean]]) and [[Diane Butcher]] ([[Sophie Lawrence]]), and leaving [[Simon Wicks]] ([[Nick Berry]]) paralysed below the waist.<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/scriptwriter-lost-job-after-giving-ira-a-role-in-soap-1555686.html The Independent] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823055021/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/eastenders-writer-wins-pounds-68000-from-bbc-1557818.html |date=23 August 2018 }}</ref> A suicide was also planned, but the character this storyline was assigned to was not revealed.<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/soap-opera-s-producers-aimed-axe-at-poor-acting-1556027.html The Independent] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823055013/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/soap-operas-producers-aimed-axe-at-poor-acting-1556027.html |date=23 August 2018 }}</ref>

Some storylines have provoked high levels of viewer complaints. In August 2006, a scene involving [[Carly Wicks]] ([[Kellie Shirley]]) and [[Jake Moon]] ([[Joel Beckett]]) having sex on the floor of [[Scarlet (EastEnders)|Scarlet]] nightclub, and another scene involving [[Owen Turner]] ([[Lee Ross (actor)|Lee Ross]]) violently attacking [[Denise Fox]] ([[Diane Parish]]), prompted 129 and 128 complaints, respectively.<ref>"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4776447.stm BBC defends ''EastEnders'' sex scene]" BBC News. Retrieved 2 November 2006.</ref><!-- REMOVED DUE TO LACK OF RELIABLE SOURCES, SOURCES CAN BE FOUND SO THE TEXT IS LEFT HERE HIDDEN UNTIL THE SOURCES ARE FOUND: Carly and Jake's sex scenes were later removed from the Sunday omnibus edition. The showdown of [[Rob Minter]] ([[Stuart Laing (actor)|Stuart Laing]]), [[Dawn Swann]] ([[Kara Tointon]]) and [[May Wright]]'s ([[Amanda Drew]]) storyline where May stated to Dawn she could give her an elective caesarean (Dawn being handcuffed to the bed) prompted 200 complaints. The 2007 child abuse storyline involving [[Ben Mitchell (EastEnders)|Ben Mitchell]] (Charlie Jones) and [[Stella Crawford]] ([[Sophie Thompson]]) attracted 60 complaints from viewers, who found scenes where Ben was attacked by bullies as Stella looked on "upsetting". -->

In March 2008, scenes showing [[Tanya Branning]] ([[Jo Joyner]]) and boyfriend [[Sean Slater]] ([[Robert Kazinsky]]) burying Tanya's husband [[Max Branning|Max]] ([[Jake Wood]]) alive attracted many complaints. The UK communications regulator [[Ofcom]] later found that the episodes depicting the storyline were in breach of the 2005 Broadcasting Code. They contravened the rules regarding protection of children by appropriate scheduling, appropriate depiction of violence before the 9&nbsp;p.m. watershed and appropriate depiction of potentially offensive content.<ref name="ofcom">{{cite web |url=http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/obb/prog_cb/obb112/issue112.pdf |title=Ofcom Broadcast Bulletin 112 |date=June 2008 |website=Ofcom |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326125642/http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/obb/prog_cb/obb112/issue112.pdf |archive-date=26 March 2009}}</ref> In September 2008, ''EastEnders'' began a grooming and paedophilia storyline involving characters [[Tony King (EastEnders)|Tony King]] ([[Chris Coghill]]), [[Whitney Dean]] ([[Shona McGarty]]), [[Bianca Jackson]] ([[Patsy Palmer]]), [[Lauren Branning]] ([[Madeline Duggan]]) and [[Peter Beale]] ([[Thomas Law]]). The storyline attracted over 200 complaints.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/sep/18/bbc.television|title=EastEnders paedophile storyline draws 200 complaints|first=Leigh|last=Holmwood|work=The Guardian |date=18 September 2008|access-date=6 November 2008|location=London}}</ref>

{{Anchor|Baby swap}}In December 2010, [[Ronnie Branning]] ([[Samantha Womack]]) swapped her newborn baby, who [[sudden infant death syndrome|died in cot]], with [[Kat Moon]]'s ([[Jessie Wallace]]) living baby. Around 3,400 complaints were received, with viewers branding the storyline "insensitive", "irresponsible" and "desperate".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12110324|title=EastEnders cot death complaints top 3,400|date=4 January 2011|work=BBC News|access-date=5 January 2011}}</ref> Roz Laws from the ''[[Sunday Mercury]]'' called the plot "shocking and ridiculous" and asked "are we really supposed to believe that Kat won't recognise that the baby looks different?"<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/tv/ronnies-baby-dies-so-she-swaps-him-250592|title=Ronnie's baby dies so she swaps him for Kat's in shocking and ridiculous EastEnders storyline|last=Laws|first=Roz|date=26 December 2010|work=[[Birmingham Mail]]|access-date=26 December 2010|location=Birmingham}}</ref> The [[Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths]] (FSID) praised the storyline, and its director Joyce Epstein explained, "We are very grateful to ''EastEnders'' for their accurate depiction of the devastating effect that the sudden death of an infant can have on a family. We hope that this story will help raise the public's awareness of cot death, which claims 300 babies' lives each year."<ref name="Confirmed">{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a287462/eastenders-confirms-tragic-baby-plot/|title='EastEnders' confirms tragic baby plot|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=12 November 2010|work=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=21 November 2010|location=London}}</ref> By 7 January, that storyline had generated the most complaints in show history: the BBC received about 8,500 complaints, and media regulator [[Ofcom]] received 374; however, despite the controversy, ''EastEnders'' pulled in rating highs of 9–10&nbsp;million throughout the duration of the storyline.<ref>{{cite news|last=Plunkett|first=John|title=EastEnders: cot death plot complaints hit record|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/jan/07/eastenders-complaints-record-cot-death|access-date=7 January 2011|newspaper=The Guardian|date=7 January 2011|location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Plunkett|first=John|title='EastEnders' baby swap fallout nabs 10.2m|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a315354/eastenders-baby-swap-fallout-nabs-102m/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Plunkett|first=John|title=Ronnie's 'Enders baby swap draws 9m|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a295608/ronnies-enders-baby-swap-draws-9m/|access-date=11 March 2015}}</ref>

In October 2014, the BBC defended a storyline, after receiving 278 complaints about 6 October 2014 episode where pub landlady [[Linda Carter]] ([[Kellie Bright]]) was raped by [[Dean Wicks]] ([[Matt Di Angelo]]).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-29519061|title=BBC defends EastEnders rape storyline|work=BBC News|date=7 October 2014|access-date=7 October 2014}}</ref> On 17 November 2014 it was announced that [[Ofcom]] will investigate over the storyline.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-30080764|title=EastEnders investigated by Ofcom over rape storyline|work=BBC News|date=17 November 2014}}</ref> On 5 January 2015, the investigation was cleared by Ofcom. A spokesman of Ofcom said: "After carefully investigating complaints about this scene, Ofcom found the BBC took appropriate steps to limit offence to viewers. This included a warning before the episode and implying the assault, rather than depicting it. Ofcom also took into account the programme's role in presenting sometimes challenging or distressing social issues."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a619266/eastenders-dean-linda-rape-episode-cleared-by-ofcom/|title=EastEnders: Dean, Linda rape episode cleared by Ofcom|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|website=[[Digital Spy]]|date=5 January 2015|access-date=5 January 2015}}</ref>

In 2022, ''EastEnders'' aired their first [[male rape]] scene which saw [[Lewis Butler]] (Aidan O'Callaghan) rape [[Ben Mitchell (EastEnders)|Ben Mitchell]] ([[Max Bowden]]). The BBC received complaints from viewers who were unhappy with the content in the episode. Viewers felt that the scenes were too violent and graphic for a pre-watershed time slot. The BBC responded by stating: "''EastEnders'' has been a pre-watershed BBC One staple for over 37 years and has a rich history of dealing with challenging and difficult issues and Ben's story is one of these. We have worked closely with organisations and experts in the field to tell this story which we hope will raise awareness of sexual assaults and the issues surrounding them. We are always mindful of the timeslot in which ''EastEnders'' is shown and we took great care to signpost this storyline prior to transmission, through on-air continuity and publicity as well as providing a BBC Action Line at the end of the episode which offers advice and support to those affected by the issue".<ref name="Male rape">{{cite news |last1=Cook |first1=Rebecca |title=BBC responds to EastEnders viewer complaints with statement on Ben rape scenes |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/bbc-responds-eastenders-viewer-complaints-27109400 |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[Daily Mirror]] |publisher=([[Reach plc]]) |date=31 May 2022}}</ref>

=== Portrayal of certain professions ===
In 2010, ''EastEnders'' came under criticism from the police for the way that they were portrayed during the "[[Who Killed Archie?]]" storyline. During the storyline, [[DCI Jill Marsden]] ([[Sophie Stanton]]) and [[Wayne Hughes (EastEnders)|DC Wayne Hughes]] (Jamie Treacher) talk to locals about the case and Hughes accepts a bribe. The police claimed that such scenes were "damaging" to their reputation and added that the character [[Deanne Cunningham|DC Deanne Cunningham]] ([[Zoë Henry]]) was "irritatingly inaccurate". In response to the criticism, ''EastEnders'' apologised for offending real life detectives and confirmed that it uses a police consultant for such storylines.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/7288626/Detectives-claim-EastEnders-has-damaged-their-profession.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/7288626/Detectives-claim-EastEnders-has-damaged-their-profession.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Detectives claim EastEnders has 'damaged their profession'|last=Leach|first=Ben|date=22 February 2010|work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=22 February 2010 | location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In October 2012, a storyline involving [[Lola Pearce]] ([[Danielle Harold]]), forced to hand over her baby [[Lexi Pearce]], was criticised by the charity The Who Cares? Trust, who called the storyline an "unhelpful portrayal" and said it had already received calls from members of the public who were "distressed about the ''EastEnders'' scene where a social worker snatches a baby from its mother's arms".<ref name="Fury">{{cite news|url=http://www.communitycare.co.uk/2012/10/09/fury-over-eastenders-misleading-social-work-storyline/|title=Fury over EastEnders' "misleading" social work storyline|publisher=Community Care|date=9 October 2012|access-date=9 October 2012}}</ref> The scenes were also condemned by the British Association of Social Workers (BASW), calling the BBC "too lazy and arrogant" to correctly portray the child protection process, and saying that the baby was taken "without sufficient grounds to do so". Bridget Robb, acting chief of the BASW, said the storyline provoked "real anger among a profession well used to a less than accurate public and media perception of their jobs .. ''EastEnders''{{'}} shabby portrayal of an entire profession has made a tough job even tougher."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2012/oct/09/eastenders-social-care|title=Social workers outraged by EastEnders storyline about baby Lexi|last=Greenslade|first=Rob|website=The Guardian|date=9 October 2012|access-date=9 October 2012}}</ref>