EastEnders bosses surprised viewers with topical references to Brexit and England’s exit from Euro 2016 in Tuesday’s episode.
Actors Danny Dyer, Kellie Bright and Ted Reilly filmed the scene on Tuesday, an EastEnders spokeswoman told the Press Association.
The BBC One soap is filmed weeks in advance, but the Carter family amazed fans by discussing current events.
Brilliant hurriedly written EastEnders scene about Brexit and Euro2016. Give those guys an Oscar 😂 https://t.co/qexNHplcTD
— Sam Bailey™ ☀️ (@samuelbailey) June 29, 2016
Love an inserted topical scene into a soap. #EastEnders just managed to crowbar in Brexit, Corbyn, plus England/Iceland/Wales at #Euro2016
— Michael Hogan (@michaelhogan) June 28, 2016
I love it when #EastEnders gets topical. Wonder what Mick & Linda voted? #Brexit
— Natalie Mitchell (@Mitchell_Nat) June 28, 2016
Amazing. Watching Eastenders and they've put in topical Brexit and ENG-ICE banter. Hilarious.
— Jon Mark Deane (@EnemyRadar) June 29, 2016
EastEnders stars Danny Dyer and Kellie Bright (Screengrab/BBC)
The scene opened with Linda Carter (Kellie) listening to a radio report about the UK’s decision to leave the EU.
“I just don’t know who to believe,” she told husband Mick Carter (played by Danny). “I mean, is Brexit going to leave us better off or not?”
Queen Vic landlord Mick told her he was upset “about last night’s result” in which England suffered a shock 1-2 loss to Iceland. “What’s it going to do to our takings? It’s hardly going to be rammo in here, is it? Iceland v France!” he exclaimed.
Danny Dyer as Mick Carter in EastEnders (BBC)
Son Johnny Carter (Ted) joined in the conversation with a summation of the resignations of prime minister David Cameron and England coach Roy Hodgson.
“First Cameron, now half of Labour’s front bench, then Hodgson goes. Talk about rats leaving a sinking ship,” Johnny said. On the subject of the football, he told his father that Iceland were the better team.
Mick agreed and added: “Don’t mean I’m going to start eating puffin though while listening to Bjork. Go and get untold of them Welsh flags for downstairs because we’re going to back them boys. At least we’re still part of the United Kingdom.”
Ted Reilly as Johnny Carter (Sophie Mutevelian/BBC/Neal Street Productions)
Johnny replied: “For now.”
EastEnders is renowned for inserting scenes into episodes to reflect topical events.
In 2009, Denise Fox (Diane Parish) mentioned the death of Michael Jackson to Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker).
Four years later, Dot Branning (June Brown) discussed the birth of Prince George and Denise shared memories of Nelson Mandela following the news of his death.
Denise Fox played by Diane Parish (BBC)
BBC Radio 4 rural soap The Archers has also included references to the EU referendum. On June 24, David Archer (Timothy Bentinck) and Ruth Archer (Felicity Finch) were heard discussing the result.
It was also mentioned in Tuesday’s episode when members of the Aldridge family debated whether Brexit would mean less money for farming from the EU.
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