BBC EastEnders airs nod to Ozzy Osbourne following death as soap addresses Lioness success
BBC One’s EastEnders featured a specially filmed topical insert during Thursday night’s broadcast, acknowledging both the England women’s football team’s triumph over Italy and paying respects to recently deceased rock legend Ozzy Osbourne.
The soap opera included a freshly recorded conversation that referenced the Lionesses’ 2-1 victory, which had caused the programme to be rescheduled the previous evening.
This last-minute addition continues the show’s tradition of incorporating current events into its fictional Walford setting.
The programme has previously woven real-world happenings into its storylines, from sporting achievements to celebrity deaths and royal occasions.
These segments are typically filmed on transmission day to maintain relevance and connect the fictional narrative with contemporary events.
The exchange took place between pub landlady Elaine Peacock, portrayed by Harriet Thorpe, and police officer Callum Highway, played by Tony Clay.
Their discussion began when Callum enquired about Elaine’s wellbeing following her decision to transfer ownership of The Queen Vic to Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace).
Elaine responded positively, citing the previous evening’s football result as a mood lifter. “Well, I can’t be too down after that England match. I mean, 2-1?” she remarked.
The victory she referenced was England’s dramatic extra-time comeback against Italy in the Euro 2025 semi-final.
Substitute players Michelle Agyemang and Chloe Kelly had secured the win with crucial goals after coming off the bench, sending the Lionesses through to Sunday’s championship match.
Elaine predicted a surge in particular baby names following the match. “I’m going to tell you something, there’s going to be a lot of kids named Michelle and Chloe in nine months time,” she told Callum, honouring the two goal-scoring substitutes.
The conversation shifted to Sunday’s final, with Callum noting how strange it would feel to watch without Elaine serving drinks.
She responded with humour, suggesting that new landlady Kat should place a swear jar near Mo Harris (Laila Morse) during the match, joking that the proceeds could fund her retirement.
The exchange concluded on a tense note when Elaine brought up the relationship between Callum and her grandson Johnny Carter, who is currently holidaying on a cruise with his mother Linda.
The mention created an uncomfortable moment, prompting both characters to go their separate ways.
Sharp-eared viewers also detected a meaningful musical tribute during the scene, with Black Sabbath’s Paranoid audible from the market stalls.
The rock anthem served as a memorial to the band’s legendary frontman Ozzy Osbourne, who died on Tuesday at 76 years old.
The musician, known as the “prince of darkness”, passed away in Britain shortly after delivering his final stage performance. Fans quickly recognised the gesture and took to social media platform X to express their appreciation.
“Omg I loved that new scene put in between Callum and Elaine, nice touch with Ozzy playing in the background,” one viewer commented.
Another wrote: “Loved the mention of the footie & hearing Ozzy singing in the background. Well done #eastenders.”
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A third fan praised the subtlety, posting: “Touch of class having Ozzy playing in the background! Well played!.”
“I love how #EastEnders added a blink and you’ll miss it tribute to Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne,” another noted
Someone else shared: “Loved the nods they gave to the Lionesses and Ozzy tonight #eastenders.”
“Eastenders was good tonight tribute to ozzy #EastEnders,” one more applauded.
Sharing a GIF of someone looking tearful, another commented: “Ozzy in the background #EastEnders.” (sic)