EastEnders star Kellie Bright has opened up about who her character Linda Carter might turn to for support in her alcoholism storyline.
Friday's (February 7) episode ended on a shocking note with Linda serving her husband Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) with divorce papers after finding out that he was trying to sell the pub without telling her.
Linda had previously been leaning on her mother-in-law Shirley (Linda Henry) in getting sober, and in spite of the divorce setback, Bright has hinted their relationship could be key in the storyline's next phase.
Related: EastEnders star Kellie Bright reacts to Linda and Mick Carter's divorce bombshell
"Her relationship with Shirley is a really interesting one. They don't like each other but they do love each other," she explained. "Actually Shirley says the things that Linda needs to hear and she makes her listen.
"Sometimes, I think you can take things from people like that in that moment that you can't hear from people that are closer to you. So, yes, I do think Shirley is key in trying to get through to Linda."
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Bright also acknowledged that Linda is completely torn over what to do with her life, having recognised that her drinking is having a terrible impact on son Ollie.
"She feels in every way that she is being a bad mother," the actress said. "I think she feels she's letting him down and everyone else, she's now got herself to a point where I don't think she knows how to get out of it.
"She also feels betrayed, this huge sense of betrayal by Mick for telling social services that she's got a drink problem. Therefore she's managed to turn that on him and blame him for some of the stuff she's doing.
Related: EastEnders' Kellie Bright teases that Linda could die during soap's 35th anniversary
"There's a lot of blame going on at the moment which leads her to do extreme things like serving him divorce papers!"
EastEnders continues on Monday (February 10) at 8pm on BBC One.
Alcohol Change UK offers information, advice and support with their questions about drinking and the problems that can sometimes be caused by alcohol. For more information, visit Alcohol Change UK's website. Drinkline also offers free, confidential advice to anyone who is concerned about their own or someone else's drinking on 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am–8pm, weekends 11am–4pm).
Readers can also contact Drinkaware.
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