The BBC has defended EastEnders' storyline in which bipolar disorder sufferer Jean Slater was being treated cruelly, following complaints from viewers.

They were concerned about a storyline in which Jean - played by Gillian Wright - was being framed for theft, which led other characters in Albert Square to believe she was going off the rails.

The soap has previously won an award from mental health charity Mind for the way it has tackled bipolar disorder in the show. The organisation has praised the show's "continued commitment to tackling mental health storylines in a sensitive and realistic way".

Last week the BBC1 soap saw Jean exonerated when others learned it was Michael Moon who was engineering her problems.

PHOTO: Ian Beale Disguised As A Tramp For Return To Albert Square

The BBC said it had received more than 100 complaints about the Michael and Jean storyline as a whole. It said it worked closely with experts to ensure accuracy.

"It is important to note that Jean Slater is not intended to be representative of everybody with bipolar disorder," it said.

"We treat all of our characters as individuals, with their own sets of behaviours and opinions, and there's no suggestion that all of Jean's characteristics are linked to her condition.

"We work closely with a number of experts in the mental health field to ensure that we are as accurate as possible when it comes to Jean's bipolar, her medication, the impact it has on her and those around her, and attitudes and prejudices towards her."

The BBC also pointed out that viewers already knew the truth: "Michael is a well-established villain, intent on destroying others for his own twisted motives, and the current storyline is completely in-keeping with his character.

"The audience were aware from the start that it was Jean who was telling the truth, even when other characters doubted her."

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• 20. Coronation Street 1997: Sally slaps Natalie for revenge on her affair

• 19. Brookside 1994: Beth and Margaret's lesbian kiss

• 18. EastEnders 1998: Tiffany is run over and killed

• 17. Coronation Street 1996: Raquel leaves the Street

• 16. Emmerdale 2011: Aaron helps Jackson end his life

• 12. EastEnders 2005: Den is murdered by Chrissie

• 15. Coronation Street 2006: Mike Baldwin dies

• 14. EastEnders 2009: Sonia gives birth not knowing she's pregnant

• 13. Emmerdale 2003: Chris poisons himself and then proceeds to frame Charity

• 11. Hollyoaks 2008: Niall's explosive revenge on the McQueen family

• 10. EastEnders 2007: Stacy and Max's affair is revealed

• 9. Emmerdale 1997: Kim lets Frank die

• 8. Coronation Street 2003: Tricky Dickie drives the Platts into the canal

• 7. EastEnders 2009: Danielle dies in Ronnie's arms

• 6. Brookside 1995: The body under the patio is dug

• 5. Emmerdale 1993: The plane crash

• 4. Coronation Street 1998: Deirdre is sent down

• 3. EastEnders 2001: Kat tells Zoe she's her mum

• 2. Coronation Street 2010: The tram crash

• 1. EastEnders 1994: Sharongate