'We'll cut you': Knife-wielding gang threaten EastEnders stars

'We'll cut you': Knife-wielding gang threaten EastEnders stars

EastEnders bosses were forced to cancel outdoor filming after a knife-wielding gang turned on the cast and crew.

Actress Patsy Palmer, 40, who plays Bianca Butcher, and 16-year-old James Ford â€" screen son Liam â€" were shooting scenes in a park when the boys were heard yelling: “We’ll cut you.”

The teenagers, some in hoodies and one with his face partly covered, hurled snowballs at onlookers before turning on the crew of the BBC1 soap.

The gang â€" at least seven-strong â€" heckled the cast and bragged about carrying knives. Security staff moved in but backed off as tension worsened. A lit firework was allegedly thrown at the vacated set.

Crew planned two days filming at Graham Park in Colin­dale, north London, but cut the stint short after the hostile encounter on Monday.

A source said: “A lot of locals came to see the shoot and most were really excited. But by mid-afternoon a pack of teenagers, a few in hoodies, began causing trouble. At first they were just messing around and throwing snowballs at people watching.

“Then it turned nasty. They began to heckle the security staff and crew trying to film. They were shouting expletives and saying they wanted to have a fight. They also said they had knives and would cut up the crew.”

Security got the situation under control â€" then the atmosphere again turned more aggressive. The source added: “It was clearly a group of bored lads who wanted to cause trouble.

“The cast and crew weren’t bothered at first and kept filming â€" but then packed up. Late in the day the boys lit a firework and aimed it at the set.”

EastEnders said: “We always get a lot of attention on location. All situations are monitored, as safety of cast and crew is our priority.”

It came days after former EastEnders star Mich elle Collins, 51 â€" now in Coro­nation Street â€" told of her terror as drunken teenagers screamed abuse at her on a London Tube train.