Annette Badland Receives Death Threats After Playing Villain on EastEnders

Former EastEnders actress Annette Badland, who portrayed the antagonist Aunt Babe (Babe Smith) from 2014 to 2017, disclosed that she was targeted with death threats by a viewer who could not separate the character from the performer. BBC security warned that the threats triggered a "red‑alert" protocol normally reserved for high‑profile sites, and police advised her to stay indoors and avoid social media for up to six weeks. The investigation traced the origin to a public computer near a school outside Liverpool, but no further leads were identified.

Badland later noted the ordeal lasted between one month and six weeks. Since the incident, she has continued acting, including a role as Mae Green in the comedy series Ted Lasso.