EASTENDERS fans were left distracted by a striking sign next to Cindy Beale’s head in hospital scenes.
Wednesday’s episode of the BBC soap saw the Knight family rush to hospital after patriarch George collapsed at a memorial for his mother Gloria.
George had to have a brain scan and tests to find out the cause of his collapse, with his family oblivious to the fact he has been fighting in illegal boxing matches.
However, ex-wife Cindy is aware of what he’s been doing, and when she arrived at the hospital to support daughters Gina and Anna, she struggled to keep a lid on what she knew.
The four women spoke in the hospital corridor about George, but some EastEnders viewers were too distracted by a sign behind Cindy’s head to concentrate.
Taking to X – formerly Twitter – one wrote: “Homage to the scenery / design team of #Eastenders for Cindy The Life Saving Poo!”
Another added: “How are we meant to take tonight’s #EastEnders when they’re worrying about George in front of a ‘Life Saving Poo’ poster?!”
Indeed, the poster behind Cindy was an NHS advertisement promoting bowel cancer screenings with big words saying ‘Life Saving Poo’.
Bowel Cancer Signs That Could Save Your Life
BOWEL cancer is the fourth most common form of the disease in the UK - but the second deadliest, claiming around 16,000 lives a year.
Yet it can be cured if it’s diagnosed early.
Fewer than one in ten people survive bowel cancer if it’s picked up at stage 4, but detected at stage 1 – before it’s spread – and more than nine in ten patients will live five years or longer.
There are two ways to ensure early diagnosis, screening and awareness of the symptoms.
Brits have been subjected to a postcode lottery when it comes to bowel cancer screening, with tests sent out in Scotland from 50, while people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have to wait until they are 60.
That’s why The Sun launched the No Time 2 Lose campaign, calling on the Government to lower the screening age, to save thousands of lives a year.
In summer 2018 The Sun and its readers secured a huge win with the Health Minister at the time, Matt Hancock, agreeing to start screening at 50, however, this is yet to be widely rolled out.
While screening is an important part of early diagnosis, so is knowing the symptoms and acting if you spot the signs.
The five red-flag symptoms are:
- Bleeding from the back passage, or blood in your poo
- A change in your normal toilet habits – going more or less often for example
- Pain or lump in your tummy
- Extreme tiredness for no real reason
- Unexplained weight loss
If you’re worried, don’t be embarrassed and speak to your GP– doctors see and deal with bowel problems all the time.
Unfortunately George was given bad news by the doctor after the scan, as he was told: “I can see from the scan that we do have some evidence of prior damage – that isn’t surprising for a former boxer.
“The most likely cause would be Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. It’s a brain condition linked to repeated blows to the head.
“It can lead to memory problems and other complications but it can only be diagnosed post mortem.”
She went on to explain that there were more recent changes – George’s illegal fights – had caused further issues.
“One more bad knock and this could be fatal,” she warned him.
George was forced to come clean to his family – with Cindy also getting it in the neck from Elaine and her daughters when they realised she had known.
He promised there would be no more fighting but after arriving home at the Vic, he spotted the organiser who came to pay him his winnings.
And unfortunately for George, Cindy clocked what was going on and was horrified at George appearing to be agreeing to fight again.
EastEnders facts and figures
THE beloved British soap has been captivating audiences for decades.
EastEnders follows the lives of the residents of Walford as they navigate love, loss, family drama, and community struggles.
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EastEnders airs on BBC One and is available on BBC iPlayer.