EastEnders SPOILERS: Gray will kill abused wife Chantelle when soap returns
Soaps

EastEnders: Viewers horrified as Gray forces Chantelle to hold her breath in the bath

The shocking scene is part of one of soap's darkest storylines

EastEnders viewers were “horrified” and “disturbed” after seeing evil Gray Atkins force wife Chantelle to hold her breath underwater.

The soap has been on hiatus during lockdown, but returned with a bang on Monday night (September 7).

Chantelle had planned to leave Gray (Credit: BBC)

What happened to Chantelle?

Hairdresser Chantelle (played by Jessica Plummer) was planning to secretly divorce abusive husband Gray.

But Gray (Toby-Alexander Smith) found out and went berserk and abused her in this awful way.

Read more: EastEnders SPOILERS: Mitch uncovers Gray’s true colours

Chantelle then went for a bath, but the abuse wasn’t over.

In a scene that will go down in EastEnders history as one of the most harrowing, he punished her.

When Gray found out he turned the screw (Credit: BBC)

What did Gray do to Chantelle?

Gray told her that he wanted her out of his sight, and was sick of Chantelle promising things all the time.

He then said that he would keep their kids and that he could provide for them.

When Chantelle pleaded with him, he turned the screw.

“You say you love your kids and we can make this work,” he whispered in a sinister fashion.

Chantelle EastEnders
Chantelle was forced to hold her breath underwater (Credit: BBC)

How did the harrowing Chantelle scene unfold?

“Don’t just tell me, show me.”

He forced her to go underwater and hold her breath.

“Just two minutes. To save our marriage.”

https://twitter.com/Tan_TheMan95/status/1303435829814198277

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How did viewers respond?

As Chantelle struggled to hold her breath, viewers quickly responded to the harrowing scene.

One viewer on Twitter said: “My gosh #eastenders. Poor Chantelle. What harrowing scenes tonight.”

Another wrote: “That scene of Chantelle in the bath was so disturbing.”

“The Gray and Chantelle bath scene in EastEnders tonight was horrific,” a third commented.

Viewers also praised the soap for tackling domestic abuse.

“Chantelle vs Gray and the bath in #eastenders tonight was horrid,” one Twitter user wrote.

Read more: EastEnders SPOILERS: Gray Atkins kills abused wife Chantelle when soap returns

“Makes me sick knowing what is coming up with this storyline.

“Highlighting that domestic violence has increased during lockdown breaks my heart.”

Viewers praised EastEnders stars’ acting

Twitter users also went wild over Toby and Jessica’s acting.

“If Toby-Alexander Smith & Jessica Plummer don’t win at least one award for the Gray & Chantelle storyline then they’ll have been robbed,” one viewer said.

“Their performances have been incredible & so believable, you know an actor is brilliant when his character gives you that much rage.”

It has been confirmed that Gray will kill Chantelle next week, so prepare for even darker and tragic scenes.

https://youtu.be/ohfheUOXEnc

EastEnders continues on Thursday at 7.35pm and Friday at 8.30pm on BBC One

How have you been affected by this scene? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think.


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor