EastEnders forced to reshoot 'red light' scenes after Bradford murders

Police find remains of second Bradford prostitute

During episodes scheduled to be broadcast next week, Lucas, played by Don Gilet, was to be seen visiting a red light district and picking up a girl named Jade.

He was then to drive her to a remote location and force her to pray for forgiveness, before seemingly strangling her with his tie when she attempted to run away.

The soap will now change aspects of the story following the CPS's decision to charge PhD student Stephen Griffiths, 40, with the murder of three women.

An EastEnders spokeswoman said: "EastEnders storylines are written many months in advance and any similarity to real life events is coincidental.

"However, on this occasion, to ensure we do not cause distress to the families involved in the recent tragic events in Bradford we have decided to re-shoot some parts of the storyline involving Lucas Johnson."

Last night, ITV bosses postponed an episode of Coronation Street, which was to feature an armed siege, following the shootings in Cumbria.