EastEnders cast ‘livid’ as top boss ‘breaches coronavirus rules’

He tested positive for the illness

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by Eden-Olivia Lord |
Updated on

EastEnders cast have reportedly been left 'livid' after a top boss of the show allegedly breached coronavirus rules.

Joe Nugent, first assistant director, apparently felt unwell with COVID-19 symptoms and took a test.

Despite feeling ill he reportedly continued to work for two days on the BBC set but after his results came back positive he eventually admitted he had coronavirus.

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The cast and crew are forced to keep their distance ©BBC

Joe has since been fired from the show following his actions and there's been reports that a cast member has since tested positive for coronavirus.

"The director’s behaviour has infuriated everyone. He should have known better than to behave so stupidly.

"So much work has been done, and precautions taken, to get EastEnders back on TV. But his mindless actions could have scuppered the whole operation. His actions jeopardised the whole show," a source told The Sun.

Check out: EastEnders spoilers - Ruby Allen and Suki Panesar at WAR with the Slaters

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EastEnders spoilers: Ruby Allen and Suki Panesar plot to end the Slaters - slider

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The week begins with money being tight for the Slaters, so Kush decides to sell Lily Slater's tablet. When Suki Panesar reminds Kush that their rent will increase at the end of the week, he's forced to go back on his poker app.

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Martin tells his BFF that he's worried about his gambling habit but Kush reassures him that he has everything under control.

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Later – while alone at Ruby's – Kush steals some money from the till but he's unaware that someone is watching him.

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The next day Ruby subtly tells Kush to return the money and she'll even forget that it happened but when he denies it, she's left furious.

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She quickly confronts the Slaters and although Kat Moon defends her man, Ruby accuses Kush of having a gambling addiction.

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Later on, an ecstatic Kush tells Kat that he's won £10,000 and when Kheerat Panesar overhears, he asks him to join their poker night. Kat is not impressed and tells Kush to clear the account if he really doesn't have a gambling problem.

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Ruby, still reeling from everything that's happened, decides to get revenge on the Slaters and suggests running the Slaters out of Walford with Suki…

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At the end of the week, Kush arrives at the club and spots the Pansears playing poker. It doesn't take long for them to convince Kush to join and soon after Martin gets involved too.

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When Stacey and Jean Slater find out where Kush is, they desperately try to stop him – but will he listen?

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Max offers Linda a lunch shift at the restaurant when he finds out the Carter family are struggling financially.

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She then tells Mick about it and he's indifferent and it's not long before he snaps at her when she presses him…

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While Linda decides to take up his offers, Tina gives Mick a serious talk after spotting how he spoke to his wife. She then reassures him that he's a great dad.

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Later on in the week Shirley tries to talk to Mick but he snaps at her and tells her she was never there for him when he needed her. However she slams him and tells him to stop playing the victim.

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Sonia is over the moon when she receives a car from one of her patients but she's not sure what to do with it.

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Shirley offers to buy it off her for £3,000 but Mick points out it's worth a lot more. Later on Shirley offers Gray Atkins a job with the Mitchell family business.

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Bobby Beale works hard to promote the Lucy Beale Foundation and when Sharon Mitchell offers to help out, Bobby asks her and Max to be trustees for the foundation.

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Elsewhere Bobby's obsession with washing his hands is growing…

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Jack finds a note from Amy's teacher requesting a meeting that day… Later on he seeks fatherly advice from Mitch, who is struggling with his grief. Mitch advises his pal to put the kids first.

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Billy Mitchell bumps into Honey on the way to her date but later admits to Jay Brown that he's worried she might get hurt.

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Following a successful first date, Honey has a second date with Paul but she's unaware when he spikes her drink.

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Mick Carter, Linda Carter and Sonia Fowler in The Vic ©BBC

They added, "Senior actors were livid and felt let down. There was talk of a mutiny. He was given the boot, partly to assuage cast members."

Following the outbreak of coronavirus EastEnders bosses were forced to pause filming and strip back to airing one new episode a week and a look back at iconic episodes from the past.

Unfortunately in June they ran out of new episodes and started showing an EastEnders spin-off with Stacey Dooley and some cast members.

WATCH: ‘That’s weird!’ What has Curtis Pritchard been messaging AJ’s girlfriend?!

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EastEnders bosses recast Chelsea Fox as she returns to Walford

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EastEnders spoilers: serial killer Lucas Johnson is returning to Walford

The BBC One soap returned to our TV screens in September and although cast members are adhering to social distancing guidelines, the show is just as explosive as ever.

Chantelle Atkins was murdered by her abusive husband Gray Atkins, Denise Fox and Phil Mitchell have gotten back in touch with their son and Mick Carter has been forced to come to terms with his abusive childhood.

Not only that but it's been confirmed that Chelsea Foxand her evil dad Lucas Johnson will be returningto Walford later this year.

And Ian Beale will be written out of soap as Adam Woodyatt takes an extended break from the show and Max Branning will leave the Square too.

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