It’s meant to be the season to be merry, but that’s a foreign concept when it comes to EastEnders at Christmas – and two of the biggest characters are heading for rock bottom next week.
Linda Carter’s (Kellie Bright) loved ones despair as her behaviour continues to spiral, impacting everyone around her, including young son Ollie.
When Linda storms out of the Vic, her toxic actions then have a direct effect on Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean), as she is inadvertently to blame for a robbery.
As the week ends in disgrace in the most devastating way, a crossroads lies open for Linda, and it may be her last chance.
Things are looking grim for Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) too, as fears grow over his growing isolation.
And Nicola (Laura Doddington) is not helping matters, as she winds him up about Sharon’s new relationship and then ups her nasty games – only to be knocked back by a discovery.
Jay (Jamie Borthwick) is spotting some signs that not all is well, but it looks like Phil isn’t for speaking up.
Is it too late for him also?
Monday December 9
Nicola is gearing up for the opening of the new bar, which she’s called ‘Harry’s Barn’. Meanwhile, Teddy is besotted, having spent the night with Sharon, and they decide to tell their exes that they are giving things a go.
Upon hearing the news, Nicola is on a mission to wind Phil up, so he’ll throw a spanner in the works of the new relationship.
Later, the Mitchells gather at the bar for the launch, and Teddy warns Nicola not to pull any more stunts.
However, after trying and failing to make Phil a co-conspirator in breaking up Teddy and Sharon, Nicola heads to No.55 to try again but she is surprised by what she finds.
Johnny is devastated when Ollie tells him disturbing details of Linda’s drunken behaviour. To make matters worse, Linda gets drunk again and slings some punters out of The Vic in front of Ollie.
Johnny confronts Linda about the impact of her drinking, but she turns on him, packs a bag and leaves for Sharon’s place. Later, Sharon promises to help Johnny by sorting Linda out.
Kim and Mo help the men of Walford get camera-ready for a calendar photoshoot with a cheeky twist.
Tuesday December 10
Phil orders Nicola out, but she promises his secret is safe with her before telling Sharon everything. Nicola tries manipulating Sharon with what she has seen to drive a wedge between her and Teddy.
Sharon heads to see Phil, who brushes off Nicola’s story, but Sharon can see something is wrong. At Harry’s Barn, Nicola continues to stir between Teddy and Sharon.
Nicola tells Teddy she’s changed and wants to put their marriage back together. Determined to keep up the pressure, Nicola calls on Phil.
After a dressing down from Sharon, Linda is heading home when she has a nasty encounter with Bernie. Heading to the Minute Mart, Linda tries to buy booze but when Alfie won’t sell it to her, she just takes it.
Alfie reports back to Johnny before discovering that Sharon’s place has been broken into after Linda left the door open. Sharon arrives home to find she’s been robbed.
Wednesday December 11
Linda’s behaviour continues to bring disgrace to her and pain to her loved ones. After having painful confrontations with both Alfie and Johnny, Linda knocks back vodka.
Phil and Lauren come to her rescue and offer to attend a meeting with her. Linda agrees and Johnny is thrilled that she wants to recover.
Sharon and Phil head to Teddy’s where the family are celebrating the bar launch success and reveal what Nicola’s been up to.
However, after the confrontation, Phil feels further isolated from the other Mitchells and Jay clocks it. Later, Jay pops over to see Phil, but he’s not impressed when Jay tries to dig about what’s going on.
Ian is excited as he presents the family with their outfits for the Beale’s Eels Santa float. After an enticing offer from Junior, Cindy misses the event.
Thursday December 12
Elaine returns from her honeymoon to discover the depths that Linda has fallen to and resolves to get her daughter back on the straight and narrow.
However, after a truly shocking and devastating day, Elaine realises that she can no longer enable Linda and gives her an ultimatum.
Martin goes to see his son but the nurse turns him away, having promised Ruby to get rid of him.
However, when the doctor reveals a change in his condition, Ruby heads to Walford to find Martin.
Angry Martin blows his opportunity to make peace with Ruby. Later, he returns to the hospital to apologise to Ruby.
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Peter goes to the car lot to see if Lauren is ok. Lauren blames it on being pregnant but worries her family when she is snappy with Kathy. However, when Lauren feels the baby kick for the first time, she takes this as a sign.
Phil can’t bring himself to confide in Jay, who again offers him the chance to talk.
Teddy seeks Billy’s advice on how to make things right with Phil and later goes over to extend his invite for Christmas Day again.
Elsewhere, Kim resorts to bribery to pull a choir together for the Christmas Eve concert.
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