EASTENDERS fans are fuming with soap bosses after branding a teen pregnancy twist the “worst storyline in soap history”.

Raging EastEnders viewers went online in droves, claiming the controversial plot “didn’t need to happen” and blasting writers for being “so unrealistic.”

The backlash comes after Lily Slater’s pregnancy storyline sent shockwaves through Albert Square – and completely turned the Slater and Branning families’ lives upside down.

The hard-hitting plot saw Lily, played by Lillia Turner, fall pregnant at just 12, with the father revealed as Ricky Jr – sparking fierce debate among viewers and dividing opinion across the country.

Many fans praised the show for tackling a sensitive subject, while others branded it “unrealistic” and “unnecessary” for a family soap.

And some fans blasted the BBC soap for “normalising teenage pregnancy”.

Taking to an online forum on Reddit, one fan wrote: “This has bugged me for a while now – the fact that Lily, at age 12, still a kid, gave birth to a healthy baby with absolutely no problems whatsoever, for either her or her baby.

“Lilys brain was still developing yet the Slaters saw it a good idea for her to become a mother at such a young age.

“I find that absolutely disgusting, especially because Stacey was struggling to make ends meet during that time.”

Another fan added: “The issue with Lily’s pregnancy is that at no point did anyone try to engage Lily in an adult conversation about what having a baby would mean for her life.

“Lily just stomped out of every conversation she didn’t want to have, and Stacey and Martin let her.”

A third penned: “Lily had a baby at 13 with a boy her own age, nobody really bothered to explain the risks in a meaningful way and everyone’s just sort of moved on?”

A fourth commented: “I agree, it was so unrealistic and it really p***** me off. No one told her the effects it would have on her emotionally or on her body, or how it would change the course of her life.

“She adapted so quickly and it’s irresponsible to portray a 12 year old getting pregnant this way.

“Also Ricky lives across the road and never seemed to be helping.”

Meanwhile, the new EastEnders boss, Ben Wadey, is lining up several returns.

Nicholas Bailey has reprised his role as Dr. Anthony Trueman – son of soap stalwart Patrick (Rudolph Walker) – after 11 years away.

It comes as Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) recently made her long-awaited return to Albert Square.

The legendary Max Branning (Jake Wood) is also set for a return in upcoming scenes.

While Max’s son Oscar has also eturned to Walford, with the role recast to Pierre Mouiller.

And Max Bowden is making a shock return as Ben Mitchell – two years after he was axed.

The actor will get a guest stint in the coming months, with a possible full-time role if all goes well.

Then-showrunner Chris Clenshaw gave Max the boot at the end of 2023 during a showdown over his party lifestyle.

But he has been given another chance by the BBC soap’s new boss.

A source said: “Ben had a list of characters he wanted to bring back and Ben Mitchell was one. It’s taken a little while to sort out but Max will be back filming on Albert Square later this year.”

In April, the new boss went to see Max, 30, in the musical Midnight Cowboy. The source added: “Ben wanted to meet Max and see where his head was at.

“Things hadn’t ended particularly well and Ben wanted to assure him this could be his fresh start.

“Max agreed to return for a short stint after Ben pitched his comeback storyline.

“But who knows what will happen? It really does depend on Max.”