EASTENDERS fans have been left devastated after one character has appeared to “go missing” completely during the soap’s 40th anniversary celebrations.
BBC One viewers claim the fan-favourite’s absence has been “the real story” of the soap’s milestone moment – which has sparked a major schedule shake-up.
EastEnders viewers have now demanded to know the whereabouts of Kat Slater after actress Jessie Wallace’s absence from Billy Mitchell’s wedding prep for his nuptials with Honey.
Kat’s no show comes just months after the character was at the heart of a gritty child-to-parent abuse storyline on the BBC soap.
Viewers became concerned for the character after violence from son Tommy ramped up towards her, after she learned how husband Phil Mitchell had cheated on her.
With her absence from the small screen one fan put: “Where’s Kat?”
Another posted: “I’m sorry but where was Kat today?” as a third put: “It’s the 40th and they include every other character but Kat.”
One added: “Literally though, where the heck is Kat?!”
Another mused: “What happened with the Tommy Kat & Alfie storyline??? That could’ve been so good but it’s literally just been forgotten completely.”
One picked up on the strength of feeling towards the storyline and added: “All the ‘Where’s Kat?’ Tweets.
“That’s the real story of this 40th anniversary.”
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Kat Slater finds out husband Phil Mitchell cheated in shock EastEnders scenes” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6358422417112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]Another surmised: “Very noticeable that Kat isn’t there,” as one then put: “Where’s Kat? Its odd she’s not been in it for ages.”
SHOW MILESTONE
Meanwhile, two soap legends will return from beyond the grave ahead of the soap’s milestone.
Beloved characters Garry and Minty have also made their comeback – shortly after West Ham footballer Jarrod Bowen made a surprise soap cameo.
The show has now revealed which five characters survive the 40th anniversary blaze.
EastEnders fans are worried that one or more characters might get killed off in the forthcoming blaze in The Queen Vic.
As part of the celebrations, bosses are airing a special live episode on Thursday, February 20.
Natalie Cassidy, 41, has sensationally quit the soap after 32 years on Albert Square.
She also claimed it was not her choice how the long-running character exits EastEnders in the coming weeks.
Martin Fowler actor James Bye also removed mention of the show from his Instagram profile.
Now the soap has revealed that five characters; Grant, Nigel, Yolande, Denise and Chelsea will definitely live to see more action.
After the events of the live episode, a new dawn will break for the residents of Albert Square.
Those in Walford will try to process the events of the day before as they struggle with the aftermath of what happened.
