Lorna Fitzgerald to be questioned by EastEnders bosses after being 'spotted inhaling laughing gas'

Eastenders star Lorna Fitzgerald has reportedly been caught inhaling nitrous oxide, otherwise known as laughing gas.

The 19-year-old actress who has played Abi Branning in the soap since 2006 was reportedly seen on Saturday night (18 April) buying two balloons full of the substance with a friend, after leaving Lightbox Club in south London following a drum and bass rave.

A source from the show claimed that "EastEnders really aren't happy and are going to be talking to Lorna about it. They don't take this kind of behaviour lightly."

The insider suggested that soap boss Dominic Treadwell-Collins "will want to get to the bottom of it" and mentioned that "Lorna will be called in this week for a meeting" with him.

It would appear that they don't take these things lightly too as, this wouldn't be the first time that young EastEnders stars have come under scrutiny for their behaviour outside of work. In 2014, Ricky Norwood who plays Fatboy on the BBC One programme was suspended for two months after a video of him reportedly smoking cannabis became public online.

Laughing gas has become somewhat of a craze in the last few years, particularly amongst younger people who may be unaware how harmful the substance can be. In reference to Fitzgerald's alleged use of nitrous oxide, a spokeswoman for the Angelus Foundation, a London-based drug charity, said that it is worrying how "fashionable" the product has become.

Despite nitrous oxide being legalised in the UK, it has been linked to around 17 deaths in the last decade. The drug deprives oxygen from the brain while people use it, creating the light-headed high when inhaled; it is because of this that it can be potentially dangerous.