Steven Beale’s long brain tumour deception came to an end as the character was revealed to be the victim of EastEnders’ dramatic gas explosion.
Fans had been speculating about who might die in the blast, after show bosses confirmed actor Aaron Sidwell would be leaving the show.
Is Abi's happily ever after slipping away from her? 🏥😧 pic.twitter.com/cXBzcfnj3m
— BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) September 8, 2017
Beale took his last breath in hospital after confessing his love to Abi Branning, who in turn admitted she was pregnant with his baby.
He had been lying to his family and girlfriend Lauren, Abi’s sister, about having a brain tumour to trap Lauren into an engagement.
Fans were sorry to see the long-serving villain go, with one writing: “Not gonna lie… proper GUTTED they killed off Steven Beale. I remember when he born 😢 #eastenders #stevenbeale @aaronsidwell *soap strop*.”
Not gonna lie… proper GUTTED they killed off Steven Beale. I remember when he born 😢 #eastenders #stevenbeale @aaronsidwell *soap strop* pic.twitter.com/Ws5i6EVO45
— Susan Hill (@SuseHill) September 8, 2017
Another said: “RIP Steven Beale – who’s been causing chaos since 26th Dec ’89. Thanks @aaronsidwell (and your old faces) for the ride – you’ll be missed! X”
RIP Steven Beale – who's been causing chaos since 26th Dec '89. Thanks @aaronsidwell (and your old faces) for the ride – you'll be missed! X pic.twitter.com/uagonfkUFu
— Kyri Zindilis (@KyriZindilis) September 8, 2017
Another wrote: “Gutted they killed him off, I just wanted him to leave #RIPStevenBeale.”https://twitter.com/emmsxox/status/906244465098194950
Sidwell thanked fans for their support on Twitter, writing: “Amazing 10 year period of my life. Thank you @bbceastenders and Steven Beale.”
Amazing 10 year period of my life. Thank you @bbceastenders and Steven Beale. pic.twitter.com/G13dCNwFBu
— Aaron Sidwell (@aaronsidwell) September 8, 2017
In the final moments of Friday’s dramatic episode it was revealed Beale’s step-mother Jane had managed to survive the fire he started, but there was tragedy for Bernadette Taylor (Clair Norris) when she suffered a miscarriage.
The moving scenes left some viewers in tears, with one tweeting: “Legit just cried like an idiot at Bernadette’s miscarriage.”
Legit just cried like an idiot at Bernadette's miscarriage #eastenders
— char✨ (@charkellyalex) September 8, 2017
Another said: “Sorry I’ve just been waiting forever for someone to show the world a genuine portrayal of miscarriage and #Eastenders FINALLY did it.”
Sorry I've just been waiting forever for someone to show the world a genuine portrayal of miscarriage and #Eastenders FINALLY did it.
— Lauren Hope (@LozzaHopeXx) September 8, 2017
Another wrote: “Thank you @bbceastenders for showing the brutal side of miscarriage most others tend to avoid. Heartbreaking but so real.”
Thank you @bbceastenders for showing the brutal side of miscarriage most others tend to avoid. Heartbreaking but so real #Eastenders
— Lauren Hope (@LozzaHopeXx) September 8, 2017
EastEnders continues at 8pm on Monday on BBC One.