EastEnders fans have been pretty riled up this week over a number of mild swear words that have slipped into the pre-watershed broadcast.
Not only that, but plenty of viewers complained on Twitter about the use of a supposed racial slur earlier in the week.
Soap fans were left aghast over the use of the words bastard, bloody, shagging and arse in Thursday’s episode, which aired from 7.30pm until 8pm.
One such piece of dialogue saw Sharon Mitchell, played by Letitia Dean, say that Phil Mitchell is a “stupid, stupid bastard”, while another saw the new Michelle Fowler (Jenna Russell) say “arse” while complaining about her sex life.
Fans were confused at the use of the words, which are deemed “mild” by communications regulator Ofcom.
This didn’t stop people from taking to social media to air their shock, awe and have a bit of a giggle about the words, though.
Eastenders 19:30 And We Have "Bastard" "Arse" "Shagging The Neighbours" Hahah OFCOM Anyone?!?! ????
— Prits (@ppatel1990) January 12, 2017
Swearing a plenty on #Eastenders tonight – ofcom is gonna be busy tomorrow! ??
— Kate (@katxiiie) January 12, 2017
Bloody hell arse and shagging before 9pm! What's happening #eastenders
— ?Ash Green? (@ashlienicolee) January 12, 2017
oh a shagging now too! #EastEnders #swearwordbingo Waiting for Mick to drop the C-bomb
— (((Look It's Tel))) (@TerryRyder) January 12, 2017
Bastard…arse…shagging…i am done #EastEnders
— Demi Harte? (@MissLoubs1) January 12, 2017
Is this EastEnders Later? #bastard #arse ??????
— Soap Scoop (@soapscoop) January 12, 2017
Arse there's another pound in the tin #eastenders
— Gary Hill (@hillster94) January 12, 2017
Tuesday’s episode saw Mick Carter, played by Danny Dyer, use the word “eyetie” while discussing an Italian night that would be taking place at the Queen Vic pub.It is a derogatory word for Italians that is deemed offensive by some and is said to have originated from World War II.A large number of viewers aired their disappointment over the use of the word on Twitter.One of those included BBC Radio presenter Roberto Perrone, who hails from Sicily, who wrote: “Did they really use the term ‘Eyetie’ on #BBC #eastenders this week? I will need to speak to my employers. We don’t do racism. Ever.”
Did they really use the term 'Eyetie' on #BBC #eastenders this week? I will need to speak to my employers. We don't do racism. Ever
— Roberto Perrone Show (@TalkRoberto) January 12, 2017
Maybe it's just me, but I thought 'Eyetie' was a fairly taboo term these days?! #Eastenders
— Matt Van-Der-Vord (@MatthewV_ENG) January 10, 2017
Erm…#eastenders….isn't Eyetie a bit of a….slur?
— Sooz Kempner (@SoozUK) January 10, 2017
Just caught up on @bbceastenders and Danny Dyers character used racist word for Italians! Disgusted. #Racism @BBC @bbctrust #Eastenders
— The Jon Donnis ???? (@JonDonnis) January 11, 2017
However, others did not deem it offensive at all.
Not quite grasping why 'Eyetie' is offensive #eastenders #bbc #italy
— Scott Robb (@ScottARobb) January 11, 2017
When #EastEnders had an Italian family back in the 1990s Wendy Richard used the word eyetie. There were no complaints. PC has gone mad.
— Darren Andrews (@dazthevillan) January 13, 2017
I notice all the people "horrified" by the "racist slur" eyetie are not Italian. Thanks for being great offended on my behalf but I'm ok
— TerrenceTheCat (@TerrenceTheCat) January 12, 2017
So some people are offended by East Enders actor calling an Italian an Eyetie !!!Is it me or do they need a life???
— Stevecdp (@StevePoile) January 11, 2017
As an Italian I didn't find @bbceastenders or @Danny 'racist' at all. People need to calm down. #eastenders #italian #chillout
— FrancescaDAlessandro (@Frankie_Dallas) January 12, 2017
A BBC spokesman said: “The character is well-known for using slang – or in this case an old-fashioned term that has fallen out of general use – but it was not aimed at anyone and never intended to offend.”
