Annette Badland Received Death Threats After Playing EastEnders Villain Aunt Babe

Former EastEnders star Annette Badland has disclosed that she received death threats from viewers who could not separate the actor from her on-screen character, Aunt Babe. The BBC soap security team classified the threats as serious enough to require intervention, ultimately restricting her movements for several weeks. Badland's revelation sheds light on the darker consequences of playing antagonistic roles in popular television dramas.

The Threat and Security Response

Badland portrayed Aunt Babe Smith across 219 episodes between 2014 and 2017, creating a character defined by manipulation, blackmail, and familial resentment. Speaking on the A Night In With Sally Lindsay podcast, she described the moment BBC security contacted her about the threats. The communication included warning language that forced security officials to take immediate action.

According to Badland's account, the BBC security team identified "red-alert code words" within the threatening messages, escalating the severity of the situation. She was subsequently instructed to avoid leaving her home, refrain from disclosing her whereabouts, and abstain from social media activity—measures typically reserved for genuine safety concerns. The restrictions remained in place for approximately one month to six weeks.

Investigation and Resolution

Authorities eventually traced the threats to a public computer located at a school outside Liverpool. Despite identifying the location, investigators determined they could not pursue the matter further due to the shared nature of the computer terminal and the inability to confirm the threat's source. The incident underscores the challenges law enforcement faces when investigating online threats originating from public facilities.

Badland's character was written out during her final episodes with an especially dramatic exit—literally thrown out of the Queen Vic pub by her nephew Mick Carter, portrayed by Danny Dyer. The actress noted that producers intensified her character's villainy during her departure storyline, which may have contributed to the hostile viewer response. Since leaving EastEnders, Badland has appeared in the acclaimed comedy series Ted Lasso and the crime drama Midsomer Murders.