Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) got a horrifying shock on Halloween night when she came face to face with rapist Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo) in EastEnders.
Dean had not been seen on Albert Square since 2016, when Buster Briggs paid him to stay away, after he was found not guilty of the attempted rape of Roxy Mitchell.
Poor Linda had been trying her best to put her ordeal behind her and move forward with her life, when Dean decided to suddenly show his face again.
During their showdown, he made it clear that he showed no remorse for what he had done, and still believed that he was totally innocent
With Dean’s daughter Jade’s health in decline, he decided to go into business with Ian and Cindy Beale (Adam Woodyatt and Michelle Collins), which means that his future in Walford seems secure – much to Linda’s disgust.
In recent scenes, Dean went out of his way to promote the new business, Beale’s Eels, by handing out flyers in the Square ahead of their big launch.
Part of his promotion took him into the Queen Vic, where he came face to face with Linda’s young son, Ollie.
He introduced himself as Uncle Dean, but was soon stopped by Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) who made it clear that he wasn’t welcome.
He was further pushed out by George Knight (Colin Salmon), who warned him to stay away from their family.
Later, George had the difficult task of explaining what had happened to Linda, who was instantly horrified.
She couldn’t believe that he’d had the audacity to come in and try to talk to Ollie, and her outburst soon attracted the attention of Alfie Moon (Shane Richie).
As she explained what had happened, she revealed her fears that he may do something to Ollie, and expressed that she doesn’t think she’ll ever be free of him, before storming out of the pub.
Alfie was quick to follow her, and stop her before she ended up doing anything she would regret.
