Kellie Bright has revealed EastEnders fans will ‘see the very worst version’ of her character Linda Carter as her alcoholism spirals out of control next week.
The Queen Vic landlady suffered a relapse last month, turning to the bottle once again after Bernie Taylor (Clair Norris) returned to the Square, serving to remind her of her guilt at ᴋɪʟʟɪɴɢ Bernie’s brother Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) last Christmas.
As this festive season approaches, Linda is in a dark place as her drunken actions burn bridges with several friends and family members.
‘She’s so deep into her alcoholism that she’s blissfully unaware of the damage she is causing,’ Kellie explains. ‘It’s not registering with her in those moments.
‘I think she may wake up with paranoia and think “What did I do?” and the only way to quieten those thoughts is to have another drink. Sadly, I don’t think she’s conscious of what’s happening.’
Next week, Linda has an explosive showdown with son Johnny Carter (Charlie Suff) over his younger brother Ollie (Harry Farr), after which she packs her bags and seeks refuge at best mate Sharon Watts’ (Letitia Dean).
However, Sharon is soon forced to give her a dressing down, and things between the pair worsen when Linda’s carelessness leads a devastating robbery at Sharon’s house.
Linda’s friend Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) can also ‘hardly bear to look at her’ after they exchange heated words during a row at the Minute Mart, leaving Linda with few places left to turn.
Kellie says: ‘This has gone on for so long and people have given Linda so many chances but what we see this week is that everyone has had enough.
‘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.’
The actress continues: ‘Alfie is someone who Linda has been close to in the past, but he can hardly bear to look at her.
‘You will see the very worst version of Linda on screen. She is so awful and says such horrible things to people that she’s getting more and more isolated.
‘She is mentally detaching herself from the people that care about her.’
That could prove to be fatal, as speculation is mounting that Linda will be ᴋɪʟʟᴇᴅ off over the festive period.
Back in October, the Carter family were pictured filming funeral scenes – with several clues suggesting that Linda’s body was inside the coffin.
Can Linda get the help she so desperately needs before it’s too late?
