Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) leaves her beloved Queen Vic behind as her alcoholism struggle deepens in EastEnders next week.
The pub landlady fought hard to keep the Walford boozer following Mick Carter’s (Danny Dyer) presumed death, getting mum Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) to buy out his conniving ex-wife Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) last year.
Since then, she has continued to battle alcohol addiction, turning to booze as a way to cope after she killed Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) last Christmas.
After a recent spell of sobriety, Linda hit the bottle again following the return of Bernie Taylor’s (Clair Norris), who has been tormenting the publican after learning the truth about brother Keanu’s death.
Things take a turn for the worse next week, when her son Johnny Carter (Charlie Suff) learns some disturbing details from his young brother Ollie (Harry Farr) about their mum’s drunken behaviour.
Johnny is concerned about the impact Linda’s drinking is having on the young lad, who also witnesses her slinging some punters out of the Vic.
Confronting his mum, Linda turns on Johnny and packs her bags to leave.
‘Linda is throwing it back in Johnny’s face after he tells her that she needs to sort herself out,’ reveals Kellie Bright, who plays Linda.
‘She wants to prove to Johnny that she has a lot on her shoulders and anyone in her position would drink to get through the day.
‘She is also sick of him confronting her and she just thinks, “I’ll go to my mate’s house where I can drink quietly, and no-one will bother me”. She’s running away from the confrontation.’
She takes refuge at Sharon Watts’ (Letitia Dean) house, and Sharon promises Johnny she will sort Linda out.
However, Linda later walks out after she gets a dressing down from her best mate.
‘What we see this week is that everyone has had enough,’ Kellie explains.
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‘Everyone is saying, “No more” and “We are not going to sit by and let you drink yourself stupid”.
‘Terrible things happen because she’s drinking, and it pushes everybody away. So she finds more and more doors closing in her face.’
With few allies left, will Linda get the help she needs, or will she spiral even further?
EastEnders airs these scenes from Monday 9 December at 7.30pm on BBC One and from 6am on iPlayer.
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