East Enders Off Set Episodes - 1997

1997

• Grant Mitchell, Phil Mitchell, Ian Beale and Ros Thorne in Italy.

The mission was to find Ian's sons, Peter and Steven, who had been taken by their mother, Cindy. They succeeded, managing to bring them back to Albert Square with Cindy close behind them. The episodes were praised in the media.

• Grant Mitchell, Phil Mitchell, Kathy Mitchell, Tiffany Mitchell, Bianca Butcher, Diane Butcher, Jacques Butcher and Ricky Butcher in Paris.

Grant and Tiffany bonded, Bianca found out that she was pregnant again, and Phil's' marriage ended.

• Also this year, Pauline Fowler, Ian Beale, Lucy Beale, Ruth Fowler, Mark Fowler and Martin Fowler went to Ireland, in which they found Pauline's long lost sister and her family, The Flaherty's.

The episodes filmed in Ireland received a great deal of criticism. EastEnders were accused of negative stereotyping in the way that they portrayed Irish people, depicting them as "dirty, rude, and drunk". The BBC were inundated with complaints from angry Irish people all over Britain and Ireland. In addition, complaints were made by the Irish Embassy and Irish holiday chiefs who feared that the show would have a negative effect on the Irish tourist trade. The BBC were forced to issue an apology for causing offence.

• Joe Wicks and Mary Flaherty in Bolton on 21 October.