During an episode to be shown next week, the troubled character of Lucas was to be seen picking up a girl in a red light area, and attempting to strangle her.

A spokeswoman said it would "ensure we do not cause distress to the families involved in these tragic events".

Student Stephen Griffiths has been charged with the murders of three female sex workers in Bradford.

"Eastenders storylines are written many months in advance and any similarity to real life events is coincidental," said the spokeswoman.

She later added that this was an exceptional occasion when changes would need to be made.

Preacher Lucas, played by Don Gillet, has been involved in a number of hard-hitting storylines.

The planned storyline was to see him pick up a young woman called Jade, in a red light area, asking her to pray for forgiveness and then apparently attacking her.

Due to the real life incidents that revolve around something similar to this storyline, the scene must be re-filmed before being broadcasted on television.

Posted by on 03/06/2010 at 17:10

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