EASTENDERS is to screen one of its most shocking storylines ever – when teenager Jay Brown is brutally stabbed by a gang of hoodies.
The mouthy 13-year-old is left fighting for life after thugs start to terrorise Albert Square.
Over the coming weeks, the gang will begin to target Walford stalwart Dot Cotton.
According to a show insider, their behaviour becomes increasingly aggressive and Jay – played by Jamie Borthwick, 14 – joins up.
But the tearaway ends up a victim, with the audience worrying if he will pull through.
Although the BBC1 soap has featured stabbings before, the attack on Jay will be the first teenage gang-related attack.
News of the storyline comes just days after another teenager was stabbed to death in London as a result of gang violence.
The show insider said: “This is easily one of the most shocking and controversial storylines EastEnders has ever done. It is not a decision bosses have taken lightly, but it is an issue that is top of the news agenda.
“We’re going to tread very carefully – it won’t be gratuitous. The plan is to screen the episodes in the usual slots before the watershed.
“Hopefully by showing the suffering gang violence can cause, some people may think twice about getting involved.”