Binnie Roberts her girlfriend Della Alexander were the first lesbian couple to be featured in "EastEnders". Their inclusion was an attempt to portray positive examples of characters who just happen to be homosexual. Their lesbian kiss accounted for some 45 percent of viewer complaints to the BBC regarding "EastEnders" in 1994; provoking more complaints than any other television programme that year (according to research published by the Broadcasting Standards Council in 1995). In 2005 their lesbian kiss was featured in E4's "X Rated: Top 20 Most Controversial TV Moments"; a documentary examining British TV's most talked about on-screen moments. It was placed
EastEnders episodes in Ireland viewers have been upset by the recent episodes of "EastEnders", and we are very sorry, because the production team and programme makers did not mean to cause any offence." A year later, in 1998, BBC chairman Christopher Bland admitted that as result of the Irish-set "EastEnders" episodes, the station failed in its pledge to represent all groups accurately and avoid reinforcing prejudice. Margaret "Maggie" Flaherty is the illegitimate child of Lou (Anna Wing) and Albert Beale (Gary Olsen), before they married. She was given up for adoption, as she was born out of wedlock, and was sent to live with