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RIP Shakil

Who were Dwayne Simpson, Godwin Lawson and Jay Whiston? Stabbing victims featured in Shakil’s funeral episode on EastEnders

Tonight's episode of EastEnders will have a special real-life element to it - a segment about knife crime in London. Here's some background on the young victims that will be featured

Tonight's episode of EastEnders will be all about Shakil's funeral.

As the soap teen is laid to rest after being stabbed to death in the show in May, BBC1 are introducing a real life element - here's all the information on the genuine victims of knife crime who will be featured in a segment at the end.

 Tonight's episode is about stab victim Shakil's funeral
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Tonight's episode is about stab victim Shakil's funeral

Stabbing victims featured in Shakil’s funeral episode on EastEnders

Dwayne Simpson

Dwayne Simpson was stabbed in 2014 during an attack as he tried to protect his friend.

The 20-year-old student from south London was stabbed in the heart by Rio Julienne Clark in an alleyway. He died in hospital shortly after.

Simpson and his killer apparently had a long-running feud.

Clark was jailed for 12 years for manslaughter.

 Dwayne Simpson was stabbed while defending a friend
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Dwayne Simpson was stabbed while defending a friend

Godwin Lawson

Godwin Lawson was a promising footballer from east London. He was stabbed to death in March 2010 as he tried to help his friends in Stamford Hill, north London.

He was knifed in the chest by Moise Avoragh, 20, and died at the scene. Avoragh was later jailed for 19 years.

Godwin, 17, dreamed of playing for Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson wrote to his parents after his death, offering his condolences.

 Godwin Lawson was a promising footballer
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Godwin Lawson was a promising footballer

Jay Whiston

Jay Whiston, 17, was stabbed outside a house party that had been advertised on Facebook in Colchester, Essex, in 2012.

Murderer Edward Redman, 18, confronted Jay over a drink then punched and stabbed him. He then hit him over the head with a bottle and stabbed him again.

Redman was jailed for life.

 Jay Whiston was at a party when he was set upon
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Jay Whiston was at a party when he was set upon
When is Shakil’s funeral on EastEnders, when was he stabbed to death and how are real-life knife crime victims involved?
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