EastEnders marks World Menopause Day with new Linda, Honey, Chelsea and Yolande scenes

EastEnders has released two short online scenes to mark World Menopause Day, bringing four of Walford's best-known women together for frank conversations about menopause and perimenopause.

The clips were shared on the soap's social media pages on Sunday 18 October with the caption "A moment to pause. A conversation worth having." They sit apart from the main episodes, which gives the characters room to talk about something that is still too often brushed aside, and they do it with a mix of honesty and humour that regular viewers will know well.

The first scene pairs Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) with Honey Mitchell (Emma Barton). The two cross paths at the Tube station just as Linda is caught out by a hot flush, and Honey comes to the rescue with a handheld fan and a sympathetic ear.

Their chat soon turns to the symptoms people rarely mention, with Linda struggling to find the right words before admitting: "Honestly, I think the heat is burning holes in my brain." Honey answers by sharing her own experiences, and the moment works because it never feels like a lecture.

The second clip moves to the café, where Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams) opens up to Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter). After a brief mix-up in which Yolande assumes Chelsea is pregnant, Chelsea explains that she believes she has started perimenopause.

She has been keeping track of her symptoms, from an unpredictable cycle to the anxiety that has come with her changing hormones. Yolande acknowledges how difficult the change can be, but she is quick to reassure Chelsea that life does not go downhill afterwards, and she reminds her how strong and capable she is.

Placing the scenes side by side is a thoughtful choice. Linda and Honey are dealing with symptoms in the moment, while Chelsea is at the very start of the process and Yolande can offer the longer view.

Together they cover ground that many viewers will recognise from their own lives, from brain fog and hot flushes to the worry that comes with not knowing what is happening to your body. Anyone who would like more information can find guidance on symptoms and treatment on the NHS menopause pages.

You can keep up with everything coming up in Walford on our EastEnders spoilers page, and EastEnders continues on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Images: BBC.