EastEnders’ cast REALLY did lift that double decker bus

Poor Martin Fowler was trapped under the bus

EastEnders bus crash

by Eden-Olivia Lord |
Published on

Viewers may be surprised to learn that the cast of EastEnders really did lift that double decker bus off Martin Fowler with their own bare hands!

For anyone who missed it (how could you?!), it's been a traumatic week in Albert Square, after a double decker bus wreaked havoc when it drove through Walford market and crashed into the train bridge. Lots of residents have been left injured and some are even fighting for their lives, including poor Martin Fowler who got trapped under the bus.

READ: Viewers slam EastEnders as "insensitive" following the bus crash

EastEnders bus crash
Martin managed to get free but will he survive? (Credit: BBC) ©BBC

The residents got together and managed to lift it and free Martin from under the double decker, however a few viewers thought it was a little unrealistic. One person tweeted: "I'm just thinking realistically. Would that many people be able to lift a bus likeeeeeee"

Another person wrote: "However, only in a soap would people try and succeed in lifting a double decker bus."

Someone else commented: "Thought I'd seen in all with soaps. But when about 15 people are picking up a double decker bus on EastEnders. Top of the list of SH*T"

Another said: "Is the World's Strongest Man hiding in Walford or something? No other way they could have lifted that bus."

But fans of the show might be stunned to hear that the EastEnders cast and crew really * did* lift the double decker bus on set.

Co-director Toby Frow explained to the Metro: "The cast really did lift the bus. What we initially said to them was when the bus is lifted by the crane, we need it to look like you’re lifting it so can you put your backs into at least swaying it left to right.

"So action … let’s do the first shot without the crane. And the bus did move. It came an inch off the ground. It was pretty remarkable. It was a symbol of how much commitment everyone threw into the entire thing.

"They gave everything they had for the entire shoot and threw themselves into it. It crystallised in that moment when the bus lifted. It was amazing."

EastEnders bus crash
The Walford community got together to lift the bus off Martin Fowler (Credit: BBC) ©BBC

Wow! How incredible.

What's more, this has also happened in real life. Back in 2015 a crowd of people lifted a double decker bus off Antony Shields, 55, who was trapped under it. 100 people worked together in Walthamstow, East London, to free the dad-of-two.

So it looks like a lot of people who work together can lift a double decker bus... good to know!

We can't wait to see what happens next because after Martin was finally set free everyone was relieved until Mick heard Whitney's phone ringing underneath the bus but plenty of fans think it could be Lee.

Who do you think is trapped under the bus? We know Lee Carter is leaving the show soon could he die from the bus crash? Let us know over on Facebook and Twitter.

EastEnders continues on Thursday 26 January at 7:30 on BBC One.

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