Dean – played by Matt di Angelo – attacked Linda, the nephew of her partner Mick
Media watchdog Ofcom has cleared the BBC of breaching broadcasting rules over a rape storyline, which prompted complaints from the public.
The episode, shown in October, featured scenes from before and after the rape of Queen Vic landlady Linda Carter, played by Kellie Bright.
More than 90 people complained to Ofcom about the episode, while more than 250 complaints were made to the BBC.
But Ofcom said graphic content had been avoided and warnings given to viewers.
A spokesman for the regulator 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.”
Wine bar owner James Willmott-Brown featured in a rape storyline in 1988
Responding to the original viewer complaints last year, the BBC said in a statement: “At no point have there been any scenes of a graphic nature. In fact the attack on Linda was implied and not explicit.
“We have been extremely mindful of the content within the episode and the timeslot in which it was shown.”
The half-hour programme aired at 20:00, an hour before the watershed.
In an interview with the Radio Times published around the time the episode was broadcast, Bright was asked if she thought EastEnders should be tackling such an emotive issue before the watershed.
She replied: “Yes. EastEnders is a programme that is supposed to be reflective of real life and this issue is part of our society. Why shouldn’t it be tackled? I think it’s been done in a really sensitive way. It’s out there so it’s …read more
Source:: BBC Entertainment
