EastEnders’ fans bash the BBC over ‘dismissive’ tribute to Arthur Fowler star Bill Treacher

The late Bill Treacher, who died at age 92 from declining health on Saturday, received a ‘dismissive’ one-line tribute from EastEnders

(Picture: PA)

EastEnders viewers are furious about the soap’s half-hearted tribute to Bill Treacher, who famously played Arthur Fowler, following his death.

The star died aged 92 on Saturday due to declining health.

On Tuesday [November 8], his family issued a statement confirming this death and paying tribute to “a brilliant actor and a wonderful husband and father, plus a very fine human being. He will be hugely missed.”

But hours later fans were disappointed when the BBC gave only a one-sentence tribute before its opening sequence to the show. A narrator said: "Now on BBC One, a mention for EastEnders actor Bill Treacher who sadly passed away. Back in Walford now, Suki is under arrest."

(From left as their EastEnder’s characters): Treacher, Wendy Richard, Gillian Taylforth and Peter Dean, Adam Woodyatt and Susan Tully in 1988 (PA)

Shortly after, viewers took to Twitter to share their anger.

One wrote: "it’s so bad that EastEnders didn’t do better than a throw-away one-liner. How disrespectful and dismissive to Bill."

Another wrote: "They could’ve ended the show with an ‘in memory of’ along with a picture of Bill Treacher. What a poor showing. RIP Bill."

While a third commented: "Sorry, but The One Show did a nicer tribute to Bill Treacher than EastEnders did. What’s that all about?"

However, earlier on Tuesday, the soap’s Instagram page had posted a longer tribute to the late star, which stated, “he will always be remembered for his charm.”

Treacher played the husband of Pauline and the dad of Martin Fowler for over a decade - between 1985 and 1996, before his character Arthur suffered from a brain haemorrhage caused by a head injury which killed him.

After his character was killed off, Treacher had roles in The Bill and Casualty.

He also starred in films such as The Musketeer (2001), Tale Of The Mummy (1998), and George And The Dragon (2004).

Treacher (left) with fellow EstEnders’ stars Wendy Richard and Michael French, was one of the BBC soap's original cast members and appeared from 1985 until 1996 (PA)

Treacher had his own string of health problems, including ataxia, which causes people to become "clumsy" due to poor muscle control.

The late actor, who died in hospital, is survived by wife, Kate, son, Jamie and daughter, Sophie.