Fans of EastEnders are voicing their concerns after noticing a couple of blunders involving key characters in the BBC soap. As the latest episodes have aired, viewers spotted notable mistakes regarding the show's beloved leading ladies. On March 17, 2025, Kathy Beale, played by Gillian Taylforth, sent an unexpected text to her love interest, Harvey Monroe (Ross Boatman), while apparently holding her phone upside down. This slip went largely unnoticed by the producers, but sharp-eyed fans were quick to comment on it, highlighting the error on social media. One user on X humorously noted, 'At least try holding it the right way round #EastEnders.'
The blunders didn’t stop with Kathy's phone mishap. During the March 19 episode, which is available for streaming on BBC iPlayer, another fan-favorite character, Kat Slater, portrayed by Jessie Wallace, was mysteriously absent. According to a dedicated account on X, @WhereKatSlaters, Kat Slater has appeared in only 11 out of 45 episodes this year, which amounts to a lackluster attendance rate of just 24.44%. This has triggered criticisms from fans who are growing frustrated with her sporadic appearances. Kat’s last scene aired on March 13, where she dealt with personal issues concerning her son, Tommy Moon.
In addition to the noticeable absences and slip-ups, viewers have also been revisiting the concept of characters returning from the dead, a recurring theme on EastEnders. Fans are now speculating whether Shireen Bashar, Nicola Mitchell's ex-girlfriend, who has been missing since her mention in the series, might make a dramatic return. A post on Reddit claimed, 'taking bets on when Shireen will turn up on the square.' This has sparked conversations among viewers reminiscing about the show's history of fake deaths.
Over the years, EastEnders has seen several characters who were presumed dead making surprise comebacks. Dirty Den Watts, for instance, returned to the Queen Vic 14 years after his shocking disappearance in 1989, only to be killed again in 2005. Kathy Beale herself returned from the dead in 2015, long after viewers were led to believe she died in a car crash in 2006. Recently, Cindy Beale similarly re-entered the fray after being presumed dead post-childbirth in 2023—adding layers to the show's narrative delights.
This history of comebacks makes Shireen's absence all the more suspect. On March 17, 2025, it was revealed that Nicola Mitchell had killed Shireen, and her body is allegedly buried in a derelict industrial estate in Dartford. However, tension is brewing as Nicola’s plan to keep this secret becomes complicated; it was revealed that Teddy Mitchell, who is implying he still has feelings for Sharon Mitchell, is working on a construction project where Shireen is rumored to be buried.
The drama escalated further on March 19 when viewers saw tensions rise between Teddy, Nicola, and Sharon. Nicola has been trying to manipulate the situation to keep Teddy on her side, but it seems the plan is unraveling. Fans have theorized that if Teddy's construction plans proceed, it could lead to the uncovering of Shireen’s body, raising the stakes for Nicola.
As episodes roll out, the soap opera is undoubtedly keeping its audience on edge, especially with fans noticing inconsistencies like the size of Sonia Fowler's newborn baby during a live episode that aired. People remarked on social media how drastically the baby seemed to grow during a short span of time, highlighting yet another slip in the production.
Every Monday through Thursday at 7:30 PM on BBC One, viewers can stay updated on the ongoing saga of EastEnders. With frequent episodes that provide engaging storylines, fans won't want to miss a moment of the hydraulic drama.
Despite the on-screen fragility, the dedication of the show's fanbase remains resilient, laughing off blunders while remaining engaged with the ongoing plots. As the drama unfolds with characters missing, suspicious backstories, and plot twists waiting to be revealed, EastEnders continues to capture the public's interest like few other shows today.
