EASTENDERS fans have demanded that a character is axed from the show over a ‘sickening’ storyline.
Viewers of the BBC One soap watched as Dean Wicks returned to Walford after seven years.
He became a villain with fans after he raped Linda Carter and attempted to do the same to the late Roxy Mitchell.
But as Dean – played by Matt Di Angelo – reappeared in the Square, residents quickly made their feelings known.
He is the silent partner in Ian and Cindy Beale’s new business as he tries to earn a living while supporting his sick daughter.
But Linda had decided to warn residents of him and started handing out posters, informing everyone he was a sex offender.
She was forced to halt her plans after he threatened to sue her for libel.
Dean was then urged by Ian and Cindy to try and cool things with Linda and her family for the sake of their business.
Arriving at the Vic, Dean was turned away but the villain decided to sneak in the back way and speak to Linda one-on-one in the kitchen.
Linda was terrified when she saw him stood there, and begged him to leave.
As she got out of the kitchen, Cindy and George arrived on the landing and told him to get out.
George gave him a swift backhander across the face, but the force pushed Dean back and he tumbled down the stairs before lying motionless at the bottom.
Following the dramatic scenes, Dean forced Linda to grovel to him to avoid getting the police involved.
As she did in heart breaking scenes, it’s left EastEnders fans furious and ‘repulsed’ as they demanded Dean is axed.
Writing online, one said: “Today’s episode was completely and utterly repulsing. It makes my skin crawl that they’ve brought Dean back!”
A second posted: “I was begrudgingly just putting up with Dean’s story up until today with Linda having to grovel to him, such a completely demeaning scene. I was tentative about the return from the start, but it really does seem like he’s just here to be a potential victim.”
“Dean makes me sick, he needs to go,” said a third.
While a fourth commented: “This was a horrible idea and wasn’t needed!”
EastEnders airs on BBC One and iPlayer.
