AN all-new EastEnders trailer teases a tense showdown between Dean Wicks and The Six.
The rapist- played by Matt Di Angelo – was sent to prison earlier this year after being framed for
murdering Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters). Sign up for the EastEnders newsletter
Viewers know Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) actually committed the crime last Christmas, having been protecting her best friend Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean).
The pair covered up the murder, alongside Stacey (Lacey Turner), Suki (Balvinder Sopal), Denise (Diane Parish) and Kathy (Gillian Taylforth) – collectively nicknamed ‘The Six’.
Months later, Linda framed Dean, who had previously raped her in 2014, for Keanu’s killing.
Police discovered his body buried under the cafe, where it had been hidden.
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Despite being behind bars, Dean has been plotting revenge on his former victim.
He enlisted the help of Keanu’s sister Bernie (Clair Norris) to write poison pen messages to Linda.
Taking things a step further, the villain preyed on Bernie’s emotions to get her on side.
He had claimed to share her desire to bring Keanu’s actual killer to justice.
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However, after Dean got what he wanted, the villain swiftly abandoned Bernie to her own devices.
It comes as Matt Di Angelo previously confirmed he has made his exit from Albert Square.
Dean Wicks is arrested for Keanu murder, Eastenders
Speaking exclusively to The Sun on the red carpet for the Radio Times Soap Awards, Matt said: “Dean is a bit like the World Cup.
“You can handle a bit of him every six years or so, and then after a week you’re like, ‘OK enough of this’.
“He’s a fun character to play and all the people I work with like Kellie [Bright] and Di Parish, I’ve known them for a long time, they’ve known me since I was a young guy so they’re fun to work with.”
Darkest soap storylines
Over the years the likes of EastEnders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street have all tried to try outdo each other with their outlandish plots in a bid to keep us tuning in each week. But here are some of the darkest that had fans in shock…
- EastEnders: Tony grooming Whitney (2008-2009) – Tony King first appeared in Albert Square in 2008 as the boyfriend of Bianca, played by Patsy Palmer. But it was quickly revealed he was a paedophile who had been grooming vulnerable Whitney, Bianca’s adopted stepdaughter from a previous relationship, since she was 12. The shocking storyline attracted more than 200 complaints within a week of it beginning. Whitney waited until her 16th birthday to reveal the truth to a horrified Bianca, who called the police.
- Emmerdale: Holly’s drug addiction and shock death (2010-2016) – In 2010, Holly Barton (played by Sophie Powles) became Emmerdale’s first teenage drug addict. The shocking storyline saw her taking cocaine on a night out before developing a deadly heroin habit. Parents John and Moira desperately tried to help get their daughter clean but when Holly returned in 2016, following a four-year absence, she quickly relapsed. Fans were left stunned and heartbroken when distraught Moira found Holly dead in her bed from a heroin overdose.
- Hollyoaks: Luke’s rape (2000) – Actor Gary Lucy was just 17 when he took on this groundbreaking storyline, which saw his character Luke Morgan become soap’s first male rape victim. Luke had endured a long-running bullying campaign by football rival Mark Gibbs – who raped him after Luke stood up to him. Luke was left suicidal following the brutal attack, before opening up to his brother Adam. Gibbs was sentenced to eight years in prison. Gary won the Best Actor gong at the British Soap Awards in 2000 for his performance.
- Coronation Street: Evil Richard Hillman (2001-2003) – Just a mere mention of ‘Richard Hillman’ is enough to send a shiver down the spines of soap fans. He is often ranked one of the most evil soap villains and it’s not hard to see why. The smooth-talking financial adviser bashed his ex-wife Patricia over the head with a shovel. In a bid to keep his mother-in-law Audrey quiet, he set fire to her house. And when Maxine caught him trying to murder Emily Bishop, he took a crowbar to her head. He made his exit from the cobbles in 2003 when he drove Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth, and her family into the canal. They survived, but he didn’t.
The actor also teased a major twist for the upcoming scenes that took him by surprise.
Matt added: “We were on location for a full week and most of the trial is filmed.
“There was a twist at the end of it that sort of surprised me.”
EastEnders airs on BBC One and is available to watch on iPlayer.
