Updated: BBC receive 183 complaints over 'Enders episode

The number of complaints to the BBC about Monday night's EastEnders episode has risen to 183 - more than double the original figure.

The corporation initially received 80 complaints but the numbers increased gradually throughout yesterday, with roughly two dozen viewers contacting Ofcom directly.

Despite the Walford soap taking the decision to re-write and re-film the climax to their Rob-Dawn-May baby plot due to recent events in Portugal, it has still been criticised for the graphic nature of its scenes.

The episode in question – which averaged at 8.9 million viewers – saw Dawn (Kara Tointon) tied to a bed while May (Amanda Drew) threatened to perform a caesarian in a bid to take the baby from her.

It has been suggested that a warning about the nature of the scenes should have been given at the start of the programme which aired pre-watershed at 8pm, but the continuity announcer said only: "Dramatic EastEnders now on BBC One - it's misery for poor Dawn as mad May puts her plan into action."

A BBC spokeswoman today told DS: "[Monday's] episode involving the characters Dawn, May and Rob reached a climax that most viewers would have been anticipating.

"We are sorry if some people were offended by this drama unfolding and will be addressing complaints fully in due course."