EASTENDERS will air a special episode on New Years Eve focusing on alcoholic Linda Carters downfall from her perspective.
The Queen Vic landlady – who is played by actress Kellie Bright in the BBC soap – will drink too much as she struggles to enjoy the festivities, leading to a disaster that will change her life forever.
Linda Carter gets drunk on New Year’s Eve after struggling to cope with the events of Christmas Day in EastEnders
What is Lindas alcoholism storyline on EastEnders New Years Eve special?
The entire episode will be shown from Lindas perspective as her drinking problem spirals out of control.
The episode will air on New Years Eve as Linda struggles to cope with the events of Christmas Day.
With the weight of a disastrous Christmas – that sees her spending the day in hospital – still hanging over her, the temptation of drink at New Years Eve proves too much for Linda.
She gets increasingly drunk as she moves from party to party and her actions impact her loved ones and change her life forever.
EastEnders fans are convinced drunk Linda will kill Louise Mitchell in a dramatic hit and run after the soap teased that a “bigger secret” is coming other than Sharon’s baby.
Fans are convinced the secret spells disaster for Louise as Tilly Keeper is set to leave the Square.
But EastEnders are yet to confirm exact details of Linda’s downfall on New Year’s Eve and fans will have to wait and see.
Linda is the only one to turn up in festive dress at the Ball and Change winners dinner in EastEnders
What happens to Linda on Christmas Day?
Lindas alcohol abuse storyline is set to really kick off on Christmas Eve.
Official spoilers have revealed that the Queen Vic landlady will pass out in the freezing Albert Square gardens on Christmas Eve after embarrassing herself at the Ball and Change winners dinner.
Linda is horrified when she is the only one to arrive in a festive costume, and starts necking alcohol to deal with the shame shes feeling.
Mick does his best to curb Linda’s drinking over the festive period in EastEnders
What has EastEnders said about Lindas alcoholism storyline on the special episode?
Executive producer Jon Sen told HOAR Online: “We always wanted to do a story that shows the tragedy of alcoholism and we’ve seen Lindas story evolve over the last few months.
“But we wanted to really get into the heart of what it is to be so enslaved into alcohol, the cons of alcohol abuse, and the tragedy of it all.
“The shame, and the regret, and the humiliation – and yes she finds escape in it, but at the same time it’s damaging herself, her family, her friends.
“We really wanted to get into the skin of it, so we have this very unique episode for our New Year’s Eve where we tell it completely from Linda’s point of view as she starts New Years Eve amongst all the over revellers, who are out there to get hammered.
“We know that she’s got a problem and we just peruse her journey throughout the entire night as it gets worse and worse and worse and we just see her spiral.”
Soap boss Kate Oates added: “I think that it’s been nice to see Lindas alcoholism build quite truthfully because it’s a combination of life problems.
“She’s got issues within the family, Mick went to prison, she’s got all the hangovers from everything happened with Dean, she’s got a new diagnosis with Ollie in terms of autism which is another challenge for her.
“She’s not quite sure how to handle that and she’s been self medicating – the wine got earlier and earlier and it’s suddenly become overwhelming.
She added: “It’s a bit of a homage really to Den and Angie, there’s been a classic tradition of drinking in toxic relationships within that pub but the cast are very different because, fundamentally, Mick adores his wife.
“What we are going to see is ultimately how addiction gets in the way of their relationship in a way that Linda is choosing alcohol above her family.
“Thats going to have huge ramifications in terms of: ‘can they stay together, will they be able to co-parent Ollie, is this going to break them up permanently?’
“And with the arrival of Lee, both of them are forced to ask some really challenging questions.”
