‘You have to set an example!’: Kym Marsh slams ‘silly’ EastEnders star Maisie Smith after she was pictured smoking a ‘strong smelling’ cigarette
Kym Marsh has slammed actress Maisie Smith for ‘setting a bad example’ after the EastEnders star was pictured smoking a ‘strong smelling’ hand-rolled cigarette while behind the wheel of her car.
Maisie, best known for her role as Tiffany Butcher on the BBC soap, was seen puffing the crudely rolled cigarette after pulling over on an empty road in her native Essex.
And Kym, who plays Michelle Connor on rival soap Coronation Street, has since criticized the 19-year old, insisting she should use her public platform to set the right example.
Speaking out: Kym Marsh has slammed actress Maisie Smith for ‘setting a bad example’ after the EastEnders star was pictured smoking a ‘strong smelling’ hand-rolled cigarette while behind the wheel of her car
Addressing Maisie’s apparent transgression in her OK! column, she wrote: ‘This was a really silly thing to do. We all make mistakes and do things wrong, and hopefully this is something Maisie will learn from as she’s only 19.
‘When you’re in a soap, you have to remember that you have an influence on others – especially younger people – and you have to set an example. You are an ambassador for your show, so you have to make sure you uphold its values.
‘I can’t imagine she will get away with it lightly.’
Lighting up: Maisie, best known for her role as Tiffany Butcher on the BBC soap, was seen puffing the crudely rolled cigarette with a friend after pulling over on an empty road in her native Essex
According to The Sun, Maisie paused to smoke the cigarette before finishing and hastily driving off after a police car pulled into the area on Two Tree Island.
Driving while under the influence of cannabis can result in a minimum, one-year driving ban, an unlimited fine and up to six months in prison.
Maisie and her pal were said to have been parked for around 40 minutes on Sunday afternoon around 3:50pm.
Mistake: ‘This was a really silly thing to do. We all make mistakes and do things wrong, and hopefully this is something Maisie will learn from as she’s only 19,’ Kym told fans
According to the publication, the pair initially stopped before moving to a more secluded corner on the island.
They reportedly spent about seven minutes rolling the cigarette before smoking it and then left around 4:30pm after a police car arrived.
An onlooker said: ‘Locals know this area as a spot for people having a smoke. She had the window open and the smell was really strong. I couldn’t believe she was doing it while driving.’
MailOnline has contacted representatives for EastEnders for comment.