Episode 6867

The episode, the first of a two-part special, features Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) and Zack Hudson (James Farrar) visiting Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) in Milton Keynes, where they are introduced to a neglected young girl, Britney Wainwright (Lola Campbell).

The episode received negative feedback from residents of Milton Keynes as they felt that it was an inaccurate and insulting portrayal of their city.

The controversy also gained attention from the MP for Milton Keynes North, Ben Everitt, who was unhappy with the city's portrayal in the soap.

Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) and her fiancé Zack Hudson (James Farrar) visit Whitney's adoptive mother, Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer), in Milton Keynes, following Bianca's split from her partner, Terry Spraggan (Terry Alderton).

Ruth calls pupils in this position "ghost children" and expresses her sadness that schools and social services do not have the resources to find them.

[1][2] McGarty announced her departure from the soap in 2023, with it being suggested that the episode plot could be the catalyst of Whitney's exit storyline.

[6][7][8] It was also announced in January 2024 that the episode would feature the return of Patsy Palmer as Bianca Jackson, the adoptive mother of Whitney, who first appeared on the soap in 1993.

[1][9][10] In the EastEnders universe, Zack and Whitney had visited Bianca in January 2024, with the episode showing what has happened over the preceding five weeks and revealing what has kept them away for so long.

[6] At the time of the announcement, Palmer had already begun filming, with it being reported that the episode would be the beginning of her "short stint".

[1] EastEnders executive producer Chris Clenshaw was happy for Bianca's return, calling her "iconic" and a "fan favourite".

[3] McGarty revealed to Inside Soap that Britney reminds Whitney of herself at that age, and that she feels sorry for her and wants to help and take "her under her wing".

[4] Sarah Ellis from Inside Soap revealed that Whitney's near-death experience leads her to question her future, hinting that it could possibly change the course of her life.

[14] Lewis Knight from Radio Times blamed Whitney's "kind heart" for throwing her into "harm's way".

[2] Quinn also called Britney "mouthy" and noted the "sad contents of [Bianca's] nearly-empty" fridge and Zack's car being vandalised by "rowdy youths" after arriving in the "seemingly grotty" area.

[18][6][19] Murrer also called Keely and Vince "grubby, drug-addled pair of neighbours" who neglect Britney and use her as a drugrunner, and commented on how the episode concludes "just as miserably" due to Whitney being run over.

[6] Some residents remarked that they would be complaining to the BBC about the depiction of the city,[7] while others expressed on social media that they enjoyed the episodes and that the soap was accurate with certain parts of Milton Keynes.