EastEnders bosses were forced to think of an "inventive" way to continue Bianca Jackson's current storyline after the actress Patsy Palmer left the show when her baby was born prematurely. Warning: Spoiler Alert!
According to Digital Spy, producers faced a problem in December after Palmer welcomed the arrival of her fourth child Bertie three weeks before he was due.
The baby's early arrival came as Palmer was about to film explosive scenes focusing on a showdown between Bianca and her family, sparked by the revelation of her mum Carol's secret relationship with younger man, Connor Stanley.
In an interview with Hello, Palmer admitted: "I wasn't planning to go on leave for another three weeks so they will have to explain my sudden absence - maybe aliens will abduct Bianca!
"But they were very supportive and told me their only concern was for me and my baby's health."
A source added: "Everyone was thrilled for Patsy when she gave birth to a healthy baby boy, but his early arrival did create a big challenge because some key scenes showing Bianca becoming involved in the Carol and Connor storyline had yet to be filmed.
"We had all the build-up shot as well as the aftermath, but there were some important scenes in the middle that hadn't been done. In the end, we had to be quite inventive in the way that we proceeded with the storyline.
"As a result, one of the affected scenes from the storyline will play out in a special way, showing events unfold through the eyes of Bianca's daughter Tiffany.
"It worked out quite well as we had already been showing how Carol's secret was having a big effect on Tiffany and causing her to behave strangely. But the viewers will have to wait and see exactly how it all happens when the episodes air."
The scenes in question - which lead to Bianca's temporary departure from the Square - will be screened this week.
Show bosses also brought back Natalie Cassidy's character Sonia Fowler for a one-off episode to help with the conclusion of the storyline.
