Chaos erupted on the set of EastEnders at Elstree Studios, Hertfordshire, as an actor was dramatically arrested following an alleged assault that left a woman “clearly very distressed.” The incident, which unfolded on May 7, sent shockwaves through the production, bringing filming to an abrupt halt and highlighting the unpredictable nature of working in the entertainment industry.
According to reports, the distressing event occurred when a woman, an extra on the set, complained that a fellow extra, a man in his 50s, had allegedly attempted to forcibly kiss her while cameras were rolling. The situation quickly escalated. Security personnel immediately intervened to apprehend the man, leading to a tense scuffle as he reportedly tried to resist. He was subsequently removed from the set when police arrived and detained him.
The man was allegedly arrested on suspicion of sexual assault against the woman. Furthermore, he faces an additional charge of common assault against another person, an alleged incident that transpired as he was being escorted away from the set. Following his arrest, the extra was reportedly released on bail, with investigations into the shocking allegations still ongoing.
A source close to the production described the incident as “dramatic” and revealed that “everyone who witnessed it was quite shaken.” The witness emphasized the immediate concern for the alleged victim: “The main focus was the woman’s welfare, as she was clearly very distressed.” Filming, understandably, had to be paused while production managers and security swiftly dealt with the volatile situation. The confrontation became even more intense when the accused man “squared up to the security staff as they tried to calm things,” before eventually being questioned and taken away by the police.
While it’s understood that the cameras did not capture footage of the alleged assault itself, it remains unclear whether the scenes being filmed on that day have already been, or will be, screened on television. Notably, Adam Woodyatt, the veteran actor who portrays Ian Beale in the BBC soap opera, was among the stars present and filming at the time of the incident.
The source commended the professionalism demonstrated by those on set, stating that “everyone involved in the production, including the cast and crew, acted very responsibly in an extremely difficult situation.” Crew members were reportedly grateful for the “professionalism and understanding” shown by the show’s bosses in handling such a sensitive and distressing event.
Hertfordshire Police have since confirmed the arrest, stating: “We can confirm we did receive a report of an incident that took place in Eldon Avenue, Borehamwood on Wednesday, May 7. The suspect, a man aged in his 50s, was arrested on suspicion of common assault and sexual assault in relation to two victims. He is on police bail whilst enquiries continue.” EastEnders itself issued a statement on Saturday, affirming its commitment to safety: “While we would never comment on individuals, EastEnders has on-site security and well-established procedures in place to safeguard the safety and welfare of everyone who works on the show.”
