EastEnders fans have questioned their use of some unusual – and quite problematic dads in their annual Father’s Day social media post.
The series of pictures, which features some of Albert Square’s most beloved males, was posted across Facebook, Instagram and X yesterday (16th June).
Some of those included were Martin Fowler (James Bye), Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) and Peter Beale (Thomas Law).
However, lurking amongst the faces were some of the show’s most controversial father figures – Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo), Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry) and Stevie Mitchell (Alan Ford).
Dean is currently locked up after being framed for the murder of Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) – but he isn’t entirely innocent. Prior to his time spent at His Majesty’s Pleasure, he deprived teenage daughter Jade (Elizabeth Green) of her cystic fibrosis medication in an attempt to make her dependant on him.
Many years ago he raped sister-in-law Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), so definitely not the sort of man that should be celebrated!
Nish recently returned to Walford and announced to his children that he was dying, which came as quite a shock given the years of emotional and physical abuse he put his family through.
Stevie arrived into the BBC One soap earlier this year as the estranged dad of Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick).
The show’s backstory explained that he was abandoned in a children’s home as a child, leaving him vulnerable to years of physical abuse. He’s also set to unveil a secret family…
Who made the EastEnders Father's Day post?
- Martin Fowler (James Bye): Dad to Rebecca and Hope, and adoptive father to Lily and Arthur. He believed the latter was his own until Stacey revealed her affair with Kush Kazemi.
- Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara): Father of teenagers Avani and Nugget.
- Peter Beale (Thomas Law): Dad to Louie.
- Alfie Moon (Shane Richie): Father of Bert, Ernie and Cherry, and adoptive father to Tommy. He originally thought Tommy was his own, until Kat’s affair with his second cousin Michael was unveiled.
- Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick): Step-dad to Lexi, and was married to her late mum Lola.
- Howie Danes (Delroy Atkinson): Father to Denzel, who has developed an addiction to steroids during his dad’s 5 month absence.
- Callum Highway (Tony Clay): Step-dad to Lexi, her dad Ben is currently locked up in the US for fraud.
- George Knight (Colin Salmon): Dad to Junior, Gina and Anna. Junior recently returned to his life after many years of being estranged.
- Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden): The Walford hard man has three sons and a daughter, as well as four step-sons to wife Kat. He’s currently attempting to form a relationship with youngest child Albie, who was raised as Keanu’s.
- Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker): Father to Anthony and Isaac, and adoptive father to Paul. He is also a valued father-figure to Denise and Kim.
- Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry): Dad to Ash, Kheerat, Ravi, Vinny and the late Jags.
- Harvey Monroe (Ross Boatman): Father of Dana and far-right terrorist Aaron.
- Jack Branning (Scott Maslen): Dad of Penny, Ricky, Amy and the late James and step-father to Raymond.
- Junior Knight (Micah Balfour): His son Xavier recently moved home to Dubai after Junior’s affair with Bianca Jackson was exposed.
- Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick): Dad of Janet, Will and the late Dan.
- Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt): Father to Peter and Bobby. His daughter Lucy was murdered by Bobby, and eldest son Steven died of cardiac arrest.
- Zack Hudson (James Farrar): After daughter Peach passed away, he and girlfriend Whitney were thrilled to welcome a second child – Dolly, earlier this year. After his fling with Lauren Branning was revealed on their wedding day, Whit fled the area.
- Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo): Dad to Jade, who he almost killed in a bid to make her dependant on him.
- Ricky Branning (Frankie Day): Fathered daughter Charli aged 12.
- Stevie Mitchell (Alan Ford): Dad of Billy and his brother Charlie – with secret son Teddy set to arrive soon.
Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker) was similarly cut off from his sons for many years, only for a DNA test to reveal that Paul (Gary Beadle) was actually fathered by his best mate.
Another name in the mix was Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), who hasn’t had the smoothest relationship with his ‘faaaamily’ over the years. That’s probably worthy of an article in itself.
The strange choices were quickly picked up on by fans, with one saying: ‘This is such a weird line up, they may as well have put Tony King or Archie Mitchell in there.’
Another posted: ‘Why is Dean part of it? He tried to kill his daughter and he stole from her charity. Not exactly “dad goals”, is it?’
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One viewer added, sarcastically: ‘Some great dads in here, Ricky, Nish, Dean. People to look up to.’
Whilst the criticism should be noted, it could also be stated that the genre (which relies on high drama and conflict to keep the wheels turning) doesn’t lend itself very well to portraying any parent in a positive light.
Perhaps its high time for the show – now in its fortieth year – started introducing more inspiring male role-models.
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