Wednesday, 2 July 2008

SPOILER ALERT EastEnders' Whitney Dean in abuse storyline

Bianca Jackson’s step-daughter to be part of shocking rape plot

Shona McGarty, who plays Whitney Dean in EastEnders

Shona McGarty has played Whitney Dean since April

EastEnders’ 15-year-old Whitney Dean will be raped by her step-dad as part of a new plot.

Whitney, played by Shona McGarty, 16, will be abused by the husband of her step-mum Bianca Jackson.

Tony, who is yet to be cast, arrives in Albert Square after he's released from prison.

‘EastEnders is currently planning a future storyline which will tackle sexual abuse within the Jackson family,’ a show spokeswoman confirms.

‘The programme is working very closely with the NSPCC so that this subject is accurately and sensitively portrayed.’

And NSPCC spokesman John Grounds has praised the soap for tackling the subject of child abuse.

'Programmes like EastEnders are increasingly helping to raise awareness of the hidden nature of sexual abuse,' he tells The Sun.

Bianca, played by Patsy Palmer, 36, arrived back in Walford in April with fiery step-daughter Whitney, the child of her dead ex, and her 4 other children.