Departing EastEnders star Lorna Fitzgerald has joked that she has "completely forgiven" on-screen father Jake Wood for the tragic roof fall which resulted in her character Abi Branning being written out of the BBC soap on Friday night.
EastEnders waved goodbye to the popular character after Abi had her life support machine switched off. Abi had been in a coma since Christmas Day when she and sister Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) fell off the Queen Vic roof while trying to save their father Max (Jake Wood).
After the episode's tearjerker ending, Wood took to Twitter to pay tribute to his co-star, writing: "As you know @LornaFitz0 I am so proud of all the incredible work you've done over the last 12 years and more importantly of the grounded and amazing young woman you've become in that time. It's truly been an honour to watch you grow and flourish. Love ya x."
As you know @LornaFitz0 I am so proud of all the incredible work you’ve done over the last 12 years and more importantly of the grounded and amazing young woman you’ve become in that time. It’s truly been an honour to watch you grow and flourish. Love ya x
— Jake Wood (@mrjakedwood) January 19, 2018
Fitzgerald replied: "Couldn't have asked for a better on screen Dad! You truly have been an incredible role model, I've learnt so much from you you're completely forgiven for the roof btw."
Couldn't have asked for a better on screen Dad! 😙 You truly have been an incredible role model, I've learnt so much from you 😊 you're completely forgiven for the roof btw 😅💋 https://t.co/OOHYjDBIDs
— Lorna Fitzgerald (@LornaFitz0) January 19, 2018
Friday night's episode saw Abi's mother Tanya (Jo Joyner) return to Walford, where she accused ex-husband Max of killing their daughter.
Too. Much. Sadness. 😩🌘🌟
— BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) January 19, 2018
As Walford says a final goodbye to Abi Branning. 😓😓 pic.twitter.com/FbwF4KAQhz
Also gathered at the hospital were Abi's step-grandmother, Dot Branning (June Brown), as well as sister Lauren, who survived the Christmas Day accident when the siblings plummeted together.
Abi's life support was eventually switched off at 8.32pm on the show - the same time Abi was born - with other characters raising a glass to her in the Queen Vic.
Fans were heartbroken by the episode, which ended in silence without the trademark theme tune.
Eastenders was so emotional. Rip Abi 😭😭😭#Eastenders
— lee (@LeeGibson_) January 19, 2018
I was alright until Tanya let Max back in! I’m a 37 year old man knowing that this is made up, but I’m in bits! #EastEnders
— Luke Newman (@NewmanLucas) January 19, 2018
#EastEnders was so heartbreaking tonight... Abi has been in the soap since she was a little girl and without the actress changing. I liked that they had no sound at the end too just made her last scenes more special.... RIP Abi Branning 💔
— Luce (@LuceValentine1) January 19, 2018
I can’t lie this has been one of the most heart breaking episodes 💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔 #eastenders
— Deborah Agboola (@OfficialDebra) January 19, 2018
EastEnders airs on RTÉ One and BBC One on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
