For the first time in the soap’s history, Eastenders has introduced a trans storyline – and some viewers are not happy about it.

On Monday (March 21) the long-running British soap revealed that the character Kyle was trans. He came out to series regular Stacey and admitted that he was her brother, and had been born ‘Sarah’.

A brave Kyle opens up to Stacey about his past…

Don’t miss #EastEnders tonight from 7:30pm on @BBCOne.https://t.co/1D3fPsO071

— BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) March 22, 2016

While a lot of people praised the show’s writers for the progressive storyline and for casting trans actor Riley Carter Millington in the role, many voiced their disgust at Kyle’s admission.
Check out just some of the tweets about the episode that blasted the character.

Gay storylines and now transgender? @bbceastenders i might have to stop watching for a while.. #EastEnders

— Ahmed Osman (@ahmz_KF) March 21, 2016

Only a matter of time; a transsexual on #EastEnders #whereisthisgoing

— Annie Williams (@annie_aw) March 21, 2016

Twitter isn't liking #EastEnders having a tranny character.

— Matt (@matthew_speaks) March 21, 2016

wasn't surprised, i knew kyle was a tranny #eastenders

— Kavra (@kavlicious) March 21, 2016

Seriously, can they just get rid of that Kyle? Not ready for all the hopeless acting that's ahead… #EastEnders

— Ⓝⓞⓡⓜⓢⓚⓘ (@_NormSki) March 21, 2016

Loool Stacey's 'sister' is a tranny #EastEnders

— Haris (@HarisCFC8) March 21, 2016

#eastenders so that's the full multi cultural transgender box ticked fir a pathetic BBC that marginalises being white and heterosexual

— Marka (@sparticuslufc7) March 21, 2016

On the plus side, the supporters were vocal too!

Actually disgusted by some of the comments about the new #trans storyline in #EastEnders.. Educate yourselves, they are people too.

— Georgie Robbins (@GeorgieJourno) March 21, 2016

Hope #EastEnders Kyle changes perceptions about being transgender. @MrRileyCarter1 was fab tonight!

— Laura Lou (@LauraLovatic) March 22, 2016

Absolutely phenomenal performance from @MrRileyCarter1 in tonight's #EastEnders???????? I'm loving Kyle SOOO much!!

— SoapSpoilers&Gossip. (@Soap_loverxx) March 22, 2016

Hearing kyle's story is heart-breaking but glad they brought in a transgender actor to play him Makes the story even more real! #eastenders

— kelli packham (@KelliPacham) March 22, 2016

#EastEnders should do more storylines like Kyle's. You know he's speaking from experience! Well done Eastenders!

— NΔØΣI (@creative_nay_) March 22, 2016

TRANS GUY ON EASTENDERS YES YES YES HE CAME OUT YES YES KYLE WE LOVE YOU #TRANSREPRESENTATION #EastEnders #BBCEASTENDERS

— jayden (@queernerdtbh) March 21, 2016

The BBC has not yet made any formal response to the complaints.