Indeed It's all going to be so contrived. Alfie would do anything for Kat and those kids and the real Alfie would know categorically where they were, especially if he was planning something like this.

That scene in the car was perfect, as was Alfie not wanting Kat to have to go back to work because she's already missed out with Tommy and Zoe. Really rubs salt into the wound that we've had the most in-character Kat and Alfie scenes since their return under DTC, only for him to go and do this.

He really is a mini Santer. Yes it will shock, but it doesn't ring true. He's also ripping off his own storyline that is still running. Phil/Sharon anyone? Except that one actually seemed like something Phil would do. Kat's no stranger to a scam and the real Alfie would have consulted her. They'd have done something like this together or not at all.

I don't think I could ever hate Alfie but I am a little disappointed in him, especially that his male pride makes him reluctant to seek help for his financial situation and that he lied to Kat about their financial problems.

I hear what you say about people being unkind about him. I've had a similar problem with Robbie Roscoe in Hollyoaks as I've grown to like him but there are still people in the main forum who dislike him - of course everyone is different and everyone is entitled to their own opinion but nobody's got the right to treat someone like a leper just because they like a character who is deemed as unpopular.

While I am disappointed that Alfie I know his heart is in the right place and he didn't mean for anyone to get hurt. I also think it's a shame that he lost his friendship with Roxy - I loved the days when he was Roxy's best friend and called her Peroxide. I understand that in his pain and loneliness over Kat's affair with Derek he turned to her and began a rebound relationship, even tried to convince himself he loved her - that's human but he should never have strung her along and jilted her on the wedding day - he should have ended it early for both their sakes if he still loved Kat.

Shane was brilliant in tonight's ep, I was almost in tears!

I know he's been arrogant and arsey and lied to Kat but I am not ashamed to admit that I feel really sorry for him and his family and I was willing him not to cry in front of Aleks and give him the satisfaction.

I'm looking forward to next week's eps now i've seen that heartbreaking trailer!

Really looking forward to the next two nights Eastenders. This will be a turning point for Alfie......

I can't help feeling sorry for Alfie, despite the fact that what he did was wrong. He's not a bad person and his heart's in the right place. Damn Tosh.

This. Aside from anything else, there would be proper channels to report suspicions through. It wasn't her place to go digging around, especially not pretending to use the bottle bank so she could corner Stacey.

And she thinks she deserves to be a parent when she has a violence problem. No. Forgetting to change the batteries in the smoke alarm will haunt Alfie forever, along with what he's done to Kat. If it'd been working, Kat would have been able to get out before the fire took hold.

Bit late for Aleks to offer to help too.

I agree.

I'm a bit saddened when I remember the old Alfie - his platonic friendship with Roxy, his old friendship with Peggy, how happy he was in the pub (he was much happier there than on the stall), the way he gave Kat her Christmas Day wedding etc. It;'s typical how people have ended up hating him because of the arson and have forgotten how he used to be a good person. Sighs - such judgementalism.

I love remembering the good times with the old style cheeky Alfie, I do love him and you're spot on when you say he isn't malicious, we know he's committed a crime but under the slightly altered personality the heart of the original incarnation of Alfie Moon still beats!

I suppose Tosh was only doing her job but I can't help thinking it was fuelled by her jealousy at Alfie and Kat having children when she lost hers.

Aw! Alfie has a heart of gold really and people on here will never accept that and I know as team Alfie we are extremely biased but most of the forum imo are biased against him.

Shane has been EE's star last week his scenes during the fire eps are some of his finest acting imo and I loved it and yes I did cry!

I agree completely. He's going to feel so guilty tonight when Kat sees her burns.

I'm glad Mick is standing by him. If Alfie were real I'd advise him to hand himself in as it's always better that way but I would still continue to visit him in prison and be his friend.

There are rumours that he will die at Christmas which will be sad but on the other hand it's better than him having a lengthy prison sentence and the square hating him.

He will indeed feel guilty because he didn't mean it to happen and he's in deep turmoil!

Kat's burns do look awful but it's the psychological and mental scars that will go deeper, she will struggle with her confidence and self esteem and worry that she's unlovable.

I heard the rumour about Alfie dying and yes it will be better than prison and I think Alfie will do it himself because he won't be able to cope with things, it is really sad though and the end of an era as Alfie and Kat are as iconic as any other EE stars and they were brilliant in the Vic!

Sometimes I feel that when I discuss Alfie in the main forum and am defending him that I am flogging a dead horse and that people go out of their way to be mean because it's him, I mean someone likened him to Janine and they are totally different, Michael is more suited to Janine which is why they worked so well as a couple they were both horrible selfish people.

I don't understand why people can't see good in Alfie they must be blind as he is fundamentally gentle and caring and loves Kat and his family and was heartbroken when Nana died and after he found out about Kat and Derek and before when he found out about Kat and Andy, he may have been altered somewhat but his original heart is still there!

I agree. People are just way too judgemental. Any good in a person is overlooked/forgotten when they do something bad. Someone on the main forum even asked me if I was an arsonist. The answer's no, but I did have three nightmares in which I took a life (self defence, manslaughter, heat of passion) - woke up each time intending to hand myself in but found I didn't have to as it was only a dream, and as a teenager I picked up a torch in a moment of anger but unlike Ben I controlled myself and put it down (that scared me so much I made sure nothing of the kind ever happened again) So I guess things like that have made me non judgemental anyway.

Of course, arson is a very serious crime though I'm a bit thrown that it can get life, but that makes me feel even more sympathetic towards poor Alfie.

It's Shane's birthday today, he is 51 years young so Happy Birthday to him!

Love this man!

He has been brilliant this past few weeks!

Poor Alfie, just wanted to give him a cuddle today.