EastEnders spoilers follow for Monday’s episode (26 October), which is available to watch now on streaming service BBC iPlayer and hasn’t yet aired on TV.
EastEnders confirms Lee Carter’s devastating secret tonight, with the arrival of his ex-girlfriend Jess. It seems Lee hasn’t been entirely truthful about the break-up, but how will his family react?
Lee returned to Walford earlier this month with his sister Nancy Carter, who is currently serving as his surrogate. The pair came back to get some legal advice from their brother Johnny, after Jess abruptly deserted Lee and their unborn child.
BBC
Related: Best streaming services
Viewers later learnt that Lee was lying about having no contact with Jess, and it was actually him who was avoiding her. But Linda remained unaware of the truth, and took her son to go look for Jess.
In tonight’s episode, Linda and Lee return from their travels, having gained no information about Jess’ whereabouts. But when they head back to Peacock Palace, they are shocked to find her waiting for them.
Lee asks his family for some space to talk to his ex, but Jess is adamant that they stay as she doesn’t want any more “games”. When the Carters berate her for going AWOL, she sets the record straight about Lee ignoring her.
Confused Linda asks why Lee has been lying and taking her on a wild goose chase to find Jess. Jess wonders how Linda hasn’t noticed the issue and explains that Lee has been drinking excessively for a long time.
“I thought a baby would change things. We both want a family so much, but even after Nancy came through for us, even that didn’t make any difference. The state he’d get in sometimes…” she says.
BBC
Related: Exclusive: EastEnders actor reveals sweet former co-star connection
“We couldn’t bring up a child like that. No-one could. I told him it’s the drink or me and the baby. That’s when he left. Blocked my calls, told me there wasn’t going to be a baby, not as far as I was concerned.”
The family are left stunned by the revelation, while Lee storms off in anger. At first, Linda suggests he was trying to “wind down” from the stress of IVF, but Jess confirms it started “way before” then, when Mick went missing.
“The drinking just got worse when his dad was declared dead, and that’s why he had the presumed death certificate revoked. He just wouldn’t have it.”
Jess explains that she thought having a baby would help Lee move on, but that he was already struggling with alcoholism by then. As a recovering alcoholic, Linda suggests getting Lee some help, but Jess points out that he’s still in denial.
BBC
Related: EastEnders star Lacey Turner shares show return update in Natalie Cassidy chat
Later, Linda confronts her son about revoking Mick’s death certificate without telling her. He admits he was “in a state” and not “thinking straight”, and Linda asks if that’s when he started drinking more.
Lee continues to deny Jess’ claims, saying she’s “exaggerating”, and that it felt like she didn’t trust him. When Linda asks about their break-up, he says he didn’t want to let her down with the truth.
“It just all got on top, you know. The IVF, dad. And yeah, having a drink helped, but that’s all it did. I don’t need it,” he assures her. “Everything she’s saying, mum, I promise you it’s not true.”
After Lee walks away, Linda picks up his orange juice bottle and immediately smells alcohol inside. She storms into Peacock Palace, revealing the truth to the whole family, with Lee lashing out in denial.
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.
Read more EastEnders spoilers on our dedicated homepage
Visit our Streaming Guide now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.
The new edition of Legends, a 100-page celebration of the world of K-pop, is here. Buy K-Pop in newsagents or online.