EASTENDERS fans were left on the edge of their seats tonight after a horrifying crowd crush.
The incident occurred at Peggy’s as customers broke through the queue, leading to a dangerously overcrowded club.
Penny, played by Kitty Castledine, struggled to sell tickets for her club night and urged her staff to do whatever it took to ensure a “sell-out” night.
Lauren changed the remaining tickets from 18 to 180, and Penny offered discounted tickets and free drinks.
These incentives increased the demand for tickets, but it soon became clear that things had gotten out of hand.
Even underage Amy Branning (played by Ellie Dadd) tried to sneak in.
As the club became more and more packed, Zack (James Farrar) tried to send a message to his security on the door to tell them not to let anyone else in.
But the bouncer became overwhelmed with people trying to get in for a ‘rocking night’.
Just as the club reached its maximum capacity, a fight in the queue lead to punters pushing past the security and storming the club.
As more and more people spilled into the venue, a crush formed inside, leaving residents in dangerous peril.
To their horror, the fire escape was blocked, while the other exit through the office was locked.
Little do they know but behind that exit, Cindy and Junior were getting down to business as they continue their steamy affair.
EastEnders favourite left fighting for her life after revenge plot pushes her to breaking point
Over the past few weeks, Cindy’s own crush on the square’s Romeo had been in danger of fizzling out.
Now with potentially dire consequences, the affair may be about to reach a thrilling climax.
In the club panic set in as people struggled for air and space.
Kim Fox and Amy were crushed against the wall and Bobby Beale exclaimed: “I can’t breathe.”
Darkest soap storylines
Over the years the likes of EastEnders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street have all tried to try outdo each other with their outlandish plots in a bid to keep us tuning in each week. But here are some of the darkest that had fans in shock…
EastEnders: Tony grooming Whitney (2008-2009) – Tony King first appeared in Albert Square in 2008 as the boyfriend of Bianca, played by Patsy Palmer. But it was quickly revealed he was a paedophile who had been grooming vulnerable Whitney, Bianca’s adopted stepdaughter from a previous relationship, since she was 12. The shocking storyline attracted more than 200 complaints within a week of it beginning. Whitney waited until her 16th birthday to reveal the truth to a horrified Bianca, who called the police.
Emmerdale: Holly’s drug addiction and shock death (2010-2016) – In 2010, Holly Barton (played by Sophie Powles) became Emmerdale’s first teenage drug addict. The shocking storyline saw her taking cocaine on a night out before developing a deadly heroin habit. Parents John and Moira desperately tried to help get their daughter clean but when Holly returned in 2016, following a four-year absence, she quickly relapsed. Fans were left stunned and heartbroken when distraught Moira found Holly dead in her bed from a heroin overdose.
Hollyoaks: Luke’s rape (2000) – Actor Gary Lucy was just 17 when he took on this groundbreaking storyline, which saw his character Luke Morgan become soap’s first male rape victim. Luke had endured a long-running bullying campaign by football rival Mark Gibbs – who raped him after Luke stood up to him. Luke was left suicidal following the brutal attack, before opening up to his brother Adam. Gibbs was sentenced to eight years in prison. Gary won the Best Actor gong at the British Soap Awards in 2000 for his performance.
Coronation Street: Evil Richard Hillman (2001-2003) – Just a mere mention of ‘Richard Hillman’ is enough to send a shiver down the spines of soap fans. He is often ranked one of the most evil soap villains and it’s not hard to see why. The smooth-talking financial adviser bashed his ex-wife Patricia over the head with a shovel. In a bid to keep his mother-in-law Audrey quiet, he set fire to her house. And when Maxine caught him trying to murder Emily Bishop, he took a crowbar to her head. He made his exit from the cobbles in 2003 when he drove Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth, and her family into the canal. They survived, but he didn’t.
Will they make it out alive?
EastEnders fans were gripped by the scenes, with one writing on X: “OMG that ending” alongside a crying emoji.
Another added: “Oh my god what a tantalising episode.”
A third tweeted: “Absolutely brilliant episode today – loved having so much of the cast involved and those last few scenes had me on edge.”
EastEnders is on BBC1 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 7.30pm.