Big Heather Spoiler

[CrazyLea]

To raise awareness. I don't think it's stupid. If done right then it will be good, and encourage other women/girls in that position to accept they have a problem and seek the help they need.

[Florijo]

iv had enough of eating disorder storylines they jus soo pointless and boring

its probably going ot be similar to the hannah storyline form hollyoaks
one soap does it and others copy!!!!! what is the point!!! it such a stupid storyline anyway!

It isn't similar. Hannah's storyline was about starving herself, this one (if it is true as I haven't seen any confirmation yet) is different. Heather eats when she is stressed/nervous/depressed/worried. It is called comfort eating/binge eating and some people do it to avoid facing up to their feelings and dealing with their problems. Both are unhealthy relationships with food but they are not the same. I also think this (potential) storyline is good as it shows awareness that there are other forms of eating disorders than anorexia and bulimia. Heather probably sought comfort in food due to her mothers bullying and it ends up as a vicious circle.

And I highly doubt EE have copied HO - storylines are planned months in advance and unless EE have spies in the HO storylining department, they have not copied anyone.

[owenlee4me]

HI

I totally agree with you, on all scores, why bother with storys on eating disorders, everyone knows the reason for being overweight or thin, so why go there!

Do we really want someone droning on about food, when a lot of us are just about to have our evening meal, not sure I want to see someone having a mega situation on food (again)

And yes to many stories are copied from one soap to another, and often at the same time!!

Heather is a great different character , lets be a bit more positive with her, transform her,rebuild her confidence, (now she is not with that over bearing monster of a mother) it would be so nice to have a positive story line for a change instead of more misery.

Maybe a direction into doing something positive with her life, which does not revolve around food could be a good challenge for the script writers!

[Florijo]

Why bother with storylines on rape, murder, affairs then? They are just as 'distasteful'

Heathers story is important to tell and informative. That doesn't mean we can't see her come out the other side but we can't just ignore it and pretend that just cos she is away from her mother everything is okay again. I have struggled with eating problems for years and it is not as simple as that.

LOL, so if they happen at the same time how are they copied? Do EE have spies at Corrie and HO, do Corrie have spies at Emmerdale?

And for the second time, (if this storyline is true) it is not a copy of the HO one.

[owenlee4me]

Admittedly, stories on rapes, incest and murders,etc are distasteful, but that is not something that the individual is in control of, and therefore the horror of the story being told is all the more shocking, hence the reason for it being a "story"

Food is something that we are responsible for ourselves, (apart from when babies) so we can be in control, if we want to be, being raped etc, is not something that we choose to do ourself

I too know about eating disorders, have faced up to it myself and dealt with it, It can be an intersting story, but can also have consequences, showing the younger viewers things, that they really don't need to be aware of.

How far will they go with this? and how much detail will be shown

I can remember when a few years ago (bit younger than now)I was desperate to loose weight, saw a programme that mentioned "laxatives", I did not even know such a thing existed, so lo and behold, the next day away I went to buy this wonderful thing, that would reduce the "bulk", and that is what I am worried about, what else will influential people learn about that they don't really need to know? after all, this is early evening viewing and has a lot of "body obsessed" young people out there who want to be size 0, there are plently programmes on tv already about food disorders, so please, lets put this one to bed

as for the copying, how can anyone be so niave, as to not think that the powers that be, can not find out what is going on, in competitors storylines

If we can know weeks ahead what the stories are, then I can't believe for one minute, that the script writers are in the dark with each other1

[Katy]

I don't think it is naive at all if a person is really into a soap then they watch week in and week out and know everything about the characters. People do want to be like them, same haircuts clothes etc why stop there. I think its good that soapd raise awareness as for some people its the only way they find out about things.

[Pinkbanana]

Food is something that we are responsible for ourselves, (apart from when babies) so we can be in control, if we want to be, being raped etc, is not something that we choose to do ourself


as for the copying, how can anyone be so niave, as to not think that the powers that be, can not find out what is going on, in competitors storylines

If we can know weeks ahead what the stories are, then I can't believe for one minute, that the script writers are in the dark with each other1

Firstly I completely disagree with what you say that people can control what they eat. Why if thats the case are people dying from eating disorders? People with eating disorders arent and cant control their problem with food, it controls them. Often people have a feeling of failure or lack of control because they cannot overcome these feelings about food on their own.

As for copying Hollyoaks, yes the storyline is about an eating disorder, but as far as Im aware no other soap has covered over/binge eating before in a soap, and I cant wait for the storyline. Good tv in my eyes is entertainment as well as educational and informative. Just like in the past when EE has tackled issues such as HIV, I think/hope that this storyline will empower some people with eating disorders to face up to their problem and seek help, also I hope other people will be re-educated about the reason people binge eat and dont think its as simple as a person cutting down what they eat.

[DaVeyWaVey]

This storyline isn't copying HO at all. Hannah was about losing weight and being anorexic, whilst Heather is binge eating - a story that i don't think any soap has tackled before as some people have already said. I think it's good they are doing a storyline like this - ok, it may not be a jolly storyline but Heather binge eating will help raise awareness at this kind of eating disorder and people who are like Heather may be encouraged to seek help after watching this storyline take place - they would be able to relate to the story which is a very good thing. It would also educate and inform a lot of viewers that may not have much knowledge on this kind of eating disorder which is also a very good thing.
This storyline will help develop Heather's character. If they didn't tackle this storyline with her, it would be a missed opportunity after we've seen hints of her obsessing over food and her mother being horrible to her (maybe the root to Heather's problem). I just hope EE carry it off well and don't rush this story as i'm sure it takes time for someone to get over an eating disorder.

After the storyline is over, maybe Heather could start rebuilding her self confidence and getting a man in her life - just because she's getting a sad storyline now doesn't mean she can't get a happy storyline to work with later.

[owenlee4me]

This debate will go on and on, and having watched EE from the very first Edition, I think I can remember a good few storylines and the majority of the time, the stories have been good and have opened up lots of taboo topics

But, at the end of the day, they will do the story and yes some will be for it and some, bored stiff and no doubt, some people will be influenced by it, which so often happens, but lets hope, that nothing to grim happens

Seems I have upset a few "sensitive" folks out there, and that is not my intention, so I will you lot to it

[Pinkbanana]

Seems I have upset a few "sensitive" folks out there, and that is not my intention, so I will you lot to it

"sensitive"? No, its called giving an opinion.