EastEnders viewers were “horrified” and “disturbed” after seeing evil Gray Atkins force wife Chantelle to hold her breath underwater.
The soap has been on hiatus during lockdown, but returned with a bang on Monday night (September 7).
What happened to Chantelle?
Hairdresser Chantelle (played by Jessica Plummer) was planning to secretly divorce abusive husband Gray.
But Gray (Toby-Alexander Smith) found out and went berserk and abused her in this awful way.
Read more: EastEnders SPOILERS: Mitch uncovers Gray’s true colours
Chantelle then went for a bath, but the abuse wasn’t over.
In a scene that will go down in EastEnders history as one of the most harrowing, he punished her.
What did Gray do to Chantelle?
Gray told her that he wanted her out of his sight, and was sick of Chantelle promising things all the time.
He then said that he would keep their kids and that he could provide for them.
When Chantelle pleaded with him, he turned the screw.
“You say you love your kids and we can make this work,” he whispered in a sinister fashion.
How did the harrowing Chantelle scene unfold?
“Don’t just tell me, show me.”
He forced her to go underwater and hold her breath.
“Just two minutes. To save our marriage.”
https://twitter.com/Tan_TheMan95/status/1303435829814198277
That scene of Chantelle in the bath was so disturbing
— Bilan (@Bilanaaay) September 8, 2020
https://twitter.com/_clairelouisex/status/1303420363737628674
https://twitter.com/Daniell07101064/status/1303438953748533254
How did viewers respond?
As Chantelle struggled to hold her breath, viewers quickly responded to the harrowing scene.
One viewer on Twitter said: “My gosh #eastenders. Poor Chantelle. What harrowing scenes tonight.”
Another wrote: “That scene of Chantelle in the bath was so disturbing.”
“The Gray and Chantelle bath scene in EastEnders tonight was horrific,” a third commented.
https://twitter.com/streetXXtrash/status/1303430394726014983
Viewers also praised the soap for tackling domestic abuse.
“Chantelle vs Gray and the bath in #eastenders tonight was horrid,” one Twitter user wrote.
Read more: EastEnders SPOILERS: Gray Atkins kills abused wife Chantelle when soap returns
“Makes me sick knowing what is coming up with this storyline.
“Highlighting that domestic violence has increased during lockdown breaks my heart.”
The scene in the bath genuinely made me lose breath for a moment. Gray's face gave me the chills. I could literally see the gears turning in his head, the way he was probably thinking of holding Chantelle down and killing her… Awesome acting @bbceastenders #Eastenders
— Jolly Holly (@HollyWe16626271) September 8, 2020
If Toby-Alexander Smith & Jessica Plummer don’t win at least one award for the Gray & Chantelle storyline then they’ll have been robbed, their performances have been incredible & so believable, you know an actor is brilliant when his character gives you that much rage #EastEnders pic.twitter.com/1boUoi4JsO
— тαѕнα (@eds_shirtsleeve) September 8, 2020
Viewers praised EastEnders stars’ acting
Twitter users also went wild over Toby and Jessica’s acting.
“If Toby-Alexander Smith & Jessica Plummer don’t win at least one award for the Gray & Chantelle storyline then they’ll have been robbed,” one viewer said.
“Their performances have been incredible & so believable, you know an actor is brilliant when his character gives you that much rage.”
It has been confirmed that Gray will kill Chantelle next week, so prepare for even darker and tragic scenes.
EastEnders continues on Thursday at 7.35pm and Friday at 8.30pm on BBC One
How have you been affected by this scene? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think.