First Look: Shakil's Funeral

EastEnders, BBC One

EastEnders have released new pictures giving the first look at Shakil Kazemi's funeral. The scenes that will air next week will show Shak's friends and family say their final goodbye's, but there is something a lot more special about this episode.


Real-life victims of knife crime will feature in this episode, speaking on camera about how it has affected their lives.

"From the very beginning we were determined to treat the difficult subject of knife crime in a responsible, non-sensationalist way," EastEnders John Yorke said.

EastEnders, BBC One

EastEnders, BBC One

"The episode gradually evolved into something unique for EastEnders — real families telling their own devastating stories alongside our own characters.


"We've tried to find a way to do justice to an incredibly difficult, tragic and emotive subject, and with huge help from the families of real life victims and the support groups they work with, we hope we've come some way to getting that enormity across."

EastEnders air this episode on Friday 6th July on BBC One.