'EastEnders' rapped over phone blunder

BBC soap EastEnders has been rapped by Ofcom after a woman's phone number was accidentally displayed in an episode of the serial.

Beautician Lisa Edwards complained to the media regulator after receiving nearly 3,000 unwanted text messages because her business mobile number appeared on screen on Ricky Butcher's (Sid Owen) phone.

The instalment in question aired on September 7 last year and Edwards's number was seen as Ricky received an SMS from ex-partner Sam Mitchell (Danniella Westbrook). Immediately above Sam's text were two messages which clearly showed Edwards's number.

Ofcom today confirmed that it had upheld Edwards's complaint, ruling that the footage "was an unwarranted infringement of [her] privacy".

The watchdog added that the broadcast had led to "a series of unwanted and abusive telephone calls and texts being received by Mrs Edwards".

Meanwhile, the BBC confirmed that it had conducted an investigation to determine how the businesswoman's number had ended up on a prop phone, but could not provide an explanation "with any certainty".

The corporation added that the number of nuisance calls and texts could have been inflated after Edwards spoke to The Sun about her experience. Her number was clearly displayed in a screen capture that the newspaper published to accompany the story.

Edwards has already received both verbal and written apologies from the BBC over the matter.