Sharon’s quivering facial features when she’s in high dudgeon are always a joy to behold. Darting eyes, pouting lips, pulsating nostrils…give her enough time and I reckon she’d even be able to flare her earlobes. She’s been on terrific form of late and there’s more to come on Thursday’s EastEnders when we witness the lengths to which Sharon will go in order to get revenge on the rest of the Mitchells.

Advertisement

By this point, she will know the truth about what happened to Keanu at Christmas thanks to a drunken bombshell from Linda. But what will she do with the incendiary information?

Now, speaking of Linda, I’ve found that my expectations of her alcoholism storyline have been confounded. I assumed it’d be a watered-down version of Angie Watts’s famous descent. But Kellie Bright stole the show over the festive period, especially in the format-busting New Year’s Eve episode that showed a night out from a desperate Linda’s drunken, disorientated point of view.

WARNING: Embargoed for publication until 00:00:01 on 14/01/2020 - Programme Name: EastEnders - January - March 2020 - TX: 21/01/2020 - Episode: EastEnders - January - March - 2020 - 6066 (No. 6066) - Picture Shows: ***STRICTLY NOT FOR PUBLICATION UNTIL 00:01HRS TUESDAY 14TH JAN 2020*** Linda Carter (KELLIE BRIGHT), Mick Carter (DANNY DYER) - (C) BBC - Photographer: Kieron McCarron

That battle with the bottle has continued into 2020, with husband Mick now going to extreme lengths to protect his beloved “L” after a boozy outburst at Ollie’s school results in the teachers calling social services.

Elsewhere, we have lurking Leo interfering with Kat’s plans to make the most of her market stall, while Sheree introduces Patrick to her son Isaac who, in true soap style, is bringing a whole load of secrets with him to the Square. And, bizarrely, the go-to place for light relief now appears to be the local funeral parlour, where Rainie’s misguided attempts to drum up business leave Stuart with his head in his hands.

Advertisement

Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement