Eastenders character, Debbie Colwell, is mocked by fans for a ‘perfectly made-up’ portrayal of a woman in a coma, following a stroke and subsequent hospital stay

Eastenders has come under fire recently for its ‘unrealistic’ portrayal of one of its cast members in a coma.

The show follows the working-class residents of Albert Square, a fictional place in the East End of London. Highlighting the everyday struggles they face, the hit show has gripped much of the nation since it started gracing screens in 1985.

Viewers of the long-running soap know that Reiss Colwell’s wife, Debbie Colwell (played by actress Jenny Meier), has been in a coma in a care home for a while, after an incident before Reiss arrived in Walford in 2022. Despite still being married to her, Reiss is romantically involved with Sonia Fowler, telling her Debbie had suffered a stroke while she was in the bath.

While he admitted to Sonia he was unable to give her the full-time care she needed, many viewers have been more concerned about how good his wife looks following her stroke.

Many have mercilessly mocked her immaculate ‘Snow White’ appearance, with posts on X, formerly Twitter, including one saying: “Why is Reiss’ wife glowing with a full face of make-up on in a coma eh?” Another agreed, saying: “Who is putting Debbie’s lipgloss and lil hourglass veil foundation on every morning?”

The continued: “Is that what Reiss is paying extra for? The most well-rested, glam-looking woman in a coma I’ve ever seen!”

One viewer said: “Obsessed with coma Debbie grinning in her sleep. I’d be smiling too being paid to pretend to be kipping for multiple episodes,” while another agreed, saying: “Desperate to know how much this actor on EastEnders is being paid for just lying there for months on end.”

One viewer questioned how long she would be in a coma, commenting: “How long is Reece’s Mrs going to be in a coma for? And why have they laid her out like Snow White? I don’t know if the scriptwriters have ever been unfortunate enough to see anyone in a coma, but they sure as hell don’t look like that. I look worse than her asleep.”