Warning: Contains major spoilers for EastEnders' 35th anniversary episodes.
EastEnders fans have been divided over the death storyline featuring Dennis "Denny" Rickman, and now scriptwriter Pete Lawson is trying to soothe their pain.
Airing yesterday (February 21), the BBC One soap's latest episode confirmed the fate of poor Dennis, which sets up an intense immediate future in Walford as the aftermath of the boat disaster takes centre stage.
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Taking to Twitter today, Pete, who the scripwriter for Friday's episode, posted a thread explaining the workings behind this narrative.
"We always think so long and hard about any character's death - it's always a balance between what you potentially lose and what you gain. Five years after Lucy's death we're still playing the repercussions," he wrote.
"The ripples caused by Dennis's death will be just as huge."
Pete continued: "Ian, Phil, Sharon, Bobby - there's so much still to play. We never do things for short term shock, always for the long term story. Trust me, no-one's more aware of legacy than we are (hence putting Sharon and Ian at the heart of last night, with Kathy across both.)"
Related: EastEnders reveals first look as Sharon returns home after Dennis's death
"I hear the fans who are upset, just as I hear the ones who aren't. But honestly, no-one thinks harder about the future of this show - not just because it's my job (!) but because like so many, I'm a fan too. It's always about looking forward," the scribe concluded.
Whether or not this changes your views is subjective, but it's an interesting time we live in when TV writers feel they have to justify their work.
EastEnders continues on Monday, February 24 at 8pm on BBC One.
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