'WEAK GESTURE'
EastEnders fans have big problem with soap’s tribute to ‘legendary’ Arthur Fowler star Bill Treacher
ARTHUR Fowler actor Bill Treacher passed away at the age of 92 on Saturday after a series of health issues.
EastEnders viewers were appalled when the BBC One soap failed to give him the tribute the late TV star deserved.
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Tributes have come pouring in since Bill's death was announced and soap fans were expecting Albert Square residents to follow suit on screens.
But all Bill Treacher received was a sentence from the narrator at the beginning of last night's trip to Walford.
"Now on BBC One, a mention for EastEnders actor Bill Treacher who sadly passed away", the announcer said.
Angry viewers immediately swarmed over to Twitter to complain as the show has sometimes displayed its ability to adapt to last-minute situations.
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"No tribute to Bill Treacher at the end of EastEnders", one fan fumed.
Another responded: "Was thinking the same thing? Could have shown a pic or something!"
"That tribute at the beginning of EastEnders was lovely but expected something a bit more. Bit of a weak gesture for such a ledge!!", a third soap viewer commented.
One pointed out that The One Show paid a better tribute to Bill than the show that made him famous.
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"Sorry but The One Show did a nicer tribute to Bill Treacher than EastEnders did what’s that all about?", they wrote.
Bill appeared in the program as Pauline's husband and Martin's father, Arthur Fowler, in the show's first season in 1985 until 1996.
Arthur was killed off after more than a decade and died of a brain haemorrhage caused by a head injury sustained in a prison riot.
Off-screen, Bill had his own declining health to cope with.
The late actor most notably battled ataxia before passing away, which left him unable to walk, putting an end to his career on the box.
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News of his death was made official via a statement from his family.
"The family of the actor Bill Treacher are sad to announce that Bill died late Saturday night, 5 November 2022", the statement read.
"He was 92 years old and his health had been declining for some time. He was much loved by his wife, Kate, his son, Jamie and his daughter, Sophie."
"Bill was a brilliant actor and a wonderful husband and father, plus a very fine human being."
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"He will be hugely missed. The family respectfully request privacy at this time."
EastEnders airs from Monday to Thursday on BBC One.
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