EastEnders fans were horrified as Lauren Branning hit the bottle to help her cope after fiance Steven Beale’s death.
Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) battled alcohol problems in the past but had cleaned up her act.
Struggling with her grief after Steven died in the fire, a row with her sister Abi (Lorna Fitzgerald) tips Lauren over the edge during Monday-night’s episode of the BBC soap and she turned to booze.
Viewers were begging Lauren to resist.
“Oh no Lauren. I actually wished I could step in when she did that. Hug her and talk her out of it,” one fan posted on Twitter.
Oh no Lauren. I actually wished I could step in when she did that. Hug her and talk her out of it. #eastenders
— Maidy Lairy (@MaidyLairy) September 11, 2017
“Nooooo, Lauren dont drink Steven wasn’t worth it,” urged another.
Nooooo, Lauren dont drink 😱 Steven wasn't worth it 😔 #EastEnders
— ♥Kezza_Lou♥ (@KerryLouiseRoss) September 11, 2017
One viewer wondered: “How could they let lauren hit the bottle again.”
How could they let lauren hit the bottle again #EastEnders
— 🇸🇱 ChezG 🇬🇧 (@XchezaliciousX) September 11, 2017
There was plenty of anger for Abi, who told Steven she was pregnant with his baby seconds before he died.
She turned on Lauren in the latest instalment, accusing her of only being upset for herself, rather than Steven, and saying she had not loved him anyway.
As Lauren sobbed over her wedding rings, Abi told her they were now useless.
“Abi needs professional help. She’s a total psychopath,” said one person on Twitter while another said they “hate Abi with a passion”.
Abi needs professional help. She's a total psychopath. #eastenders
— Maez (@maez1234) September 11, 2017
“I’m pretty sure the whole nation wanted to slap Abi when she responded with ‘well there’s no use for the rings now’ to Lauren,” said another.
I'm pretty sure the whole nation wanted to slap Abi when she responded with 'well there's no use for the rings now' to Lauren #Eastenders
— Matt (@Heathyheath_) September 11, 2017