to find Bianca's storyline on Eastenders really distressing.

[headfairy]

I'm being soft of course because it's not real, but it's scary how many people are in the same position.

What's happening?

Yes, What's going on?

it's idiotic, she goes cap in hand to the two most evil people in Walford when her uncles are loaded and her mum seems to have plenty of cash too. I've hardly watched it lately, storylines and characters have been horrendous lately.

she's flat broke, can't feed her kids, borrowed too much money from stupid loan sharks. No one will help her.

I think that's it Marilyn, it's frustrating me too because she could help herself but she's her worst enemy!

I don't really watch it but I caught a bit of it the other day

Why doesn't she sign on?

Hasn't this all been done before though?

I was wondering that worra, they're so unreal because I know living on benefits is bloody tough, but there is a little bit of a safety net.

She just lurches from one disaster to the next.

Eastenders is shit. I haven't watched it since the stupid Ronnie/baby swap storyline - absolute garbage

she just stole some money in desperation, got caught and assaulted someone.

The actress is taking 6 months off to be with her children.

I never watch Eastenders because of these awful dark storylines. The media coverage is enough to deter me. The other soaps are just as bad and I do not watch any of them either.

Just the same old, same old, Jodie Picoult 'issues'.

Do the script writers have some kind of inverse 'bucket list' of grimness that they tick as they cover each one?

it seems like housing benefit doesn't exist in walford, remember a similar story with billy and honey ages ago, they had 2 kids and no way to pay any rent, there was never any mention of signing on

I think we should all have a whip round and send her a new coat

She's been wearing that silver puffa jacket for years

Mind you, it's still in good nick

Maybe it's all the stories this week of food banks and crisis loans that's made me extra sensitive. Oh and our lovely double dip recession and the news that we've got so much further to go down before we come up.

Made me and DH cry .

We are sleep deprived and naturally a bit odd though.

worra I've always wondered where on earth they get some of her clothes, she was wearing something spectacularly shit yesterday. I can't begin to describe it but I was transfixed at how hideous it was. There must be some kind of bet going in the costume department!

YANBU, I'm in floods, mainly due to the close up camera angles but it's such an emotive storyline.

Going off to hug my DD and tell her I love her

She couldn't sign on as Janine was doing something dodgy, wouldn't complete a form for her or something, as her employer.
This must be true as Eammon 'chubby chops' Holmes said it on This Morning, er, this morning.

She can't get housing benefit because she rents privately from Janine. She asked Janine to supply her with a 'proper' tenancy agreement so she could claim benefits, and Janine said if Bianca wanted to be all 'legal' then Janine would have to charge a 'proper' amount.

The bit I loved best was during the goodbyes when Bianca said "where's Liam?" errrrrrrrrr he's not been in any episodes for about a month so maybe someone needs to check he is alive!

headfairy and the houses

I mean who designs them??

I've lived in London all my life and I've never seen houses as weirdly decorated as theirs.

I hope Ricky comes back to look after the children. It's so sad. Poor Bianca. She should have accepted help from Derek though.

No-one in Walford is allowed benefits or tax credits.

I just cried too u asked.a thread.why she doesn't get housing benefit too, even if janine increased the rent surely housing benefit would cover it?