EastEnders spoilers follow.
EastEnders fans will see Linda Carter get drawn into Sharon Watts' big secret later this month.
Linda receives a shock when Sharon decides to confide in her about the recent surprising revelation over Albie's paternity. Sadly, Sharon soon starts to regret her choice to open up to her friend.
Scenes airing later this month see Linda pushed to breaking point as she continues to face a difficult time.
Linda prepares to face her first Christmas without Mick and is disappointed when she learns that her children Nancy and Lee won't be coming home for the holidays.
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She also faces further tensions with evil Dean Wicks, who seems determined to keep cruelly taunting her after his recent return to Walford.
Meanwhile, Sharon burns a letter from the hospital which details Albie's paternity.
Despite this, Sharon talks to Linda about the situation, telling the story of how tests at the hospital inadvertently revealed that Albie's father is Phil Mitchell rather than Keanu Taylor.
Almost immediately, Sharon is left with reason to doubt Linda as she worries that her friend will expose her secret. These fears present themselves during Sharon's hen party at the Queen Vic, leaving her in turmoil.
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Linda agrees to stay quiet about what she knows, but spoiler pictures from upcoming episodes show her in a tense conversation with Phil upstairs at The Vic.
Can Linda keep her promise?
Speaking recently about the new storyline, Letitia Dean – who plays Sharon – commented: "It's a great surprise and one that makes so much sense. Sharon and Phil have such a history together. In one way it feels like it's brought their story full circle, but in another it feels like their story has only just begun. It is going to be interesting to see how it all plays out."
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She added: "[Sharon] doesn't know what to do – she's absolutely floored! Sharon and Keanu have only just rekindled their engagement after months of an off and on relationship, and she knows full well that this news will blow that apart.
"On the other hand, there is such a mutual respect between Sharon and Phil, and deep down I don't think she could or would want to keep this news from him, but he also doesn't have the best track record when it comes to parenting so she's worried about the influence he could have on Albie. The stakes are so high as she could stand to lose Keanu if she admits the truth."
EastEnders airs these scenes in the week commencing Monday, December 11.
EastEnders airs on Mondays - Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer.
