EastEnders spoilers follow.
Note: The following article contains discussion of alcoholism.
EastEnders has confirmed that a special episode involving Linda Carter will air later this month, as her alcoholism story takes an even darker turn.
In recent episodes, Linda’s drinking has continued to spiral out of control, and her family and friends have been unable to help her tackle her demons.
Next week, Johnny becomes frustrated with her mum when Ollie is affected by her drunken behaviour and witnesses Linda throwing some customers out of The Vic.
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After he confronts her about her drinking, Linda decides to leave and goes to stay with Sharon, who also gives her some tough love.
Linda steals some alcohol from the Minute Mart after Alfie refuses to sell it to her, and he later finds that Sharon’s house was broken into because Linda left the door open.
She falls to new depths after painful confrontations with her loved ones, and Elaine returns from her honeymoon to discover that Linda has reached a new low.
While Elaine strives to get her daughter back on track, a "truly shocking and devastating day" leaves her with no choice but to issue Linda with an ultimatum.
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In scenes that will air on Monday, December 16, Linda is faced with a big choice, but heartbreakingly, she decides to choose the bottle over anything else.
After making her decision, Linda then leaves, and a dangerous night of alcohol abuse unfolds on screen.
These are the only details given about the fateful evening, but as there are no other storylines mentioned, it appears that this is an episode focused solely on Linda – with the exact chain of events remaining under wraps.
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There has been concern that Linda might lose her life over the festive period after pictures were released showing the filming of a funeral – with Maddy Hill and Danny Hatchard seemingly returning to their roles of Linda’s children Nancy and Lee.
Actor Kellie Bright has said that viewers will see the "worst version of Linda" on screen next week, as the character continues to struggle with her addiction.
"She is so awful and says such horrible things to people that she’s getting more and more isolated," she said. "She is mentally detaching herself from the people that care about her."
EastEnders airs on Mondays - Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.
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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.
