EastEnders fans reeling from car crash cliffhanger – as some question ‘insensitive’ story line
Just weeks after the bus crash storyline, the characters of EastEnders are facing more vehicular misfortunes.
In Tuesday night's episode of the BBC soap Michelle Fowler accidentally ploughed her car into the chippy, leaving the fate of several characters in question.
The plot development was criticised by some viewers, questioning whether it was 'insensitive' in the wake of the Westminster attack last week.
The troubled ex-teacher was on a cocktail of sleeping pills and alcohol when she chased after her young lover Preston, who was about to skip town.
But after swerving to avoid hitting him with her car, Fowler drove straight into the front of the chip shop.
Behind the counter was Kathy Beale, covering a shift for her son Ian, while Kush Kazemi was also inside.
Some viewers expressed concern over the storyline, airing one week after several people were hit by the car of terrorist Khalid Masood in the Westminster attack on March 22.
One labelled it ‘highly inappropriate and insensitive’, while another questioned if it was ‘in bad taste’.
Highly inappropriate and insensitive after what's happened in London #eastenders
— Tom (@beliebertom_) March 28, 2017
Is that in bad taste after what happenend at #Westminster ,car crash, out of control #EastEnders
— Alan Leonard (@leylandlen) March 28, 2017
Thats stupid! #Eastenders! Car crash scene came at the wrong time! Not when London is still recovering from a terrorist attack!
— Mazi Pita (OON) (@Mazipita) March 28, 2017
However, there were marked differences between the terrorist attack and the EastEnders plot - with the latter taking place at night on a deserted street, and the crash being accidental.
The BBC declined to comment on any perceived similarities to the Westminster attack.
With three characters' lives hanging in the balance, the incident has left fans wondering who will survive the aftermath.
So shocked at #EastEnders tonight. 😵 Nobody expected that. Is Kathy actually dead this time then? Nevermind Michelle.. @bbceastenders
— Tom Gardiner 🌎🌟 (@TomGardinerUK) March 28, 2017
Well I wasn't expecting that!!😱 Preston better not be dead😞 @MartinAnzor #EastEnders
— Soph (@5secxndsofhealy) March 28, 2017
Is @kathy_beale1 dead for real this time?#eastenders
— Aunt Babe (@AuntBabe_Vic) March 28, 2017
Just someone please tell me Kush isn't dead? I was just saying to my girlfriend how much I like his character! #eastenders
— Matt Spencer (@mrbellyelliot) March 28, 2017
I swear if Kush is gone, i'm dead. #eastenders
— aishahx0 (@acreativediy) March 28, 2017
Last week a UK-set episode of Neighbours aired on Channel 5, which saw Toadie get hit by a car in Westminster.
While the instalment was filmed and aired in Australia several months previously, the broadcaster warned viewers prior to the episode that it included car crash scenes.
The EastEnders crash storyline was kept tightly under wraps, and was not flagged to viewers prior to airing.