The BBC have defended EastEnders after viewers complained about a ‘racist’ comment made by returning character Shabnam Masood.
On Tuesday night’s episode the character, who was last seen in 2008, scolded her muslim father for dating ‘a white woman’.
Speaking to her father about his recent split from café-worker Carol Jackson, she said: ‘Carol can see the obvious even if you can't. It's not right you being with a white woman.’
+5
She's back: Shabnam Masood returned from Pakistan to her home in Walford, but she's not getting on well with the neighbours
Many viewers took to Twitter to air their views on the comment, and it would seem they also officially complained as the BBC has confirmed it received complaints about the scene.
On Twitter, one viewer said, ‘OMG can’t believe what was just said #EastEnders #Racist,’ while others just simply questioned the need for Shabnam’s comment.
In an official statement issued by the BBC, the corporation explained: ‘We received complaints from some viewers who were unhappy with a comment made by Shabnam during EastEnders on 14 January 2014.
+5
Unimpressed: EastEnders viewers took to Twitter after Shabnam referred to Carol Jackson as 'a white woman' on Tuesday's episode
‘EastEnders has a rich history of tackling social issues.
The show does not advocate racism or intolerance in any way; in fact it seeks to challenge these negative views.
‘Shabnam has returned from Pakistan with a renewed religious faith, devoutness and with some strong views. In this episode Shabnam's comments came from her personal beliefs, but as viewers will see in future episodes, she is strongly challenged on her views by her father Masood.
‘Drama often requires an oppositional voice or view-point in order for another character/s to express their feelings, and challenge a particular sentiment or standpoint.
This is the case in the episode which will air on 15 January, when Masood makes it very clear that he finds her views unacceptable.’
+5
Breaking up: Carol broke up with her boyfriend Masood after he returned from Pakistan with his daughter
It wasn’t just the viewers who were on the social networking site during the episode, Nitin Ganatra, who plays Shabnam’s father Masood Ahmed, wrote to his fans on Twitter thanking them for all the tweets.
He said: ‘THANKYOU TO ALL the lovely twts bout last nights eps& Thankyou2 @dominictc & story/writing team for bringing back the Masoods! #MoreToCome!!’
Actress Rakhee Thakrar, who plays outspoken Shabnam, retweeted a post from Idris Elba after watching the show on Tuesday, saying: ‘Not everybody is gonna like u, that's ok as long as u like yourself & the more time u take disliking someone the less time u have 2 like u.’
+5
On-screen family: Nitin Ganatra, who plays Masood, and Rakhee Thakrar, who plays Masood's daughter Shabnam, pose together between takes
Feisty character Shabnam returned to Walford earlier this week after a six year hiatus; it is said the character went to Pakistan to stay with relatives and ‘find herself’.
And it would seem the gutsy character has taken an instant disliking to the way her father’s been living since her mother, Zainab, left the marital home last year.
No comments:
Post a Comment