EastEnders have started filming their Christmas episodes and Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell are included… But reports suggest they won’t see much of the New Year. Could that be because of Dean Wicks?

We know Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell (Sam Womack and Rita Simons) are due to make a dramatic exit from Albert Square and fans have been wondering if they will even make it to Christmas.

Well, a paper says that EastEnders Christmas episodes will feature the Mitchell sisters.

The cast and crew of the BBC soap have been spotted filming Walford’s nativity and Ronnie and Roxy are in the scenes, the Mirror says.

And reports also suggest that they won’t have a happy New Year.

That is when Ronnie and Roxy are expected to be killed off, in an action-packed, special New Year’s Eve episode. Will it feature Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo)?

And will Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick), now running Les Coker’s funeral business, have to arrange the burial of Ronnie and Roxy?

Scenes were also reportedly being shot at the graveside of Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor), who died in May.

Is that because they’re getting ready to put Ronnie and Roxy in the ground, close to family?

An EastEnders source has confirmed that Ronnie and Roxy will have an “unmissable exit”.

And a permanent one, if the reports are to be believed. They will be dead Enders.

We know Ronnie and Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) are planning to wed but we don’t think that turns to tragedy…

One dramatic ending would be for Ronnie’s criminal past could catch up with her. She did murder Carl White, remember?

Or… Rapist Dean could return…

Dean walked free from court after his trial for attempting to rape Roxy and his dad, Buster (Karl Howman), paid him to disappear.

But will Dean be able to stay away from all the people he feels have wronged him: Roxy, Ronnie, mum Shirley (Linda Henry) and Linda (Kellie Bright), who he did rape?

Will Dean return to punish them – and will Ronnie and Roxy die punishing him after the courts failed to?

EastEnders continues on BBC1, Monday, October 17, 8.00pm.

Rape Crisis praises EastEnders’ ‘bold’ decision to allow serial rapist Dean Wicks to walk free in last night's shocking storyline outcome...

Leading charity Rape Crisis has welcomed the way EastEnders presented a shock storyline which saw Dean Wicks acquitted of attempted rape.

Dean (Matt Di Angelo) was on trial for the attempted rape of Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons), and viewers also know that he raped Linda Carter (Kellie Bright).

But while Linda and Roxy were upset by the outcome, charity Rape Crisis hailed the BBC’s “bold” decision to focus on them, rather than the trial.

A post on the soap’s blog by Rebecca Hitchen, operations co-ordinator at Rape Crisis South London, explained: “We may be angry and frustrated by the fact that Dean does not get the comeuppance he deserves and be shocked that he has got away with his crimes again.

“We know that he is a rapist and that he is a serial offender, and we can predict that he will continue to perpetrate his crimes against women, wherever he ends up.

“But it is an important reality to face, that far too often rapists are not convicted; and justice is not realised. This is why additional support, and other ways to have their voices heard, are so crucial for survivors.”

She highlighted low conviction rates and the prejudices facing rape survivors, adding: “We know that just one in 15 women who are raped make the decision to report to the police.”

Dean’s trial took place off-screen, with the focus on the women affected by his crimes as they united together at the Queen Vic to await the verdict.

Rebecca praised the BBC soap for how the storyline had been presented, writing: “EastEnders has now made another bold decision; rather than airing the usual version of a courtroom drama, they instead show the stress and the anxiety survivors and their loved ones experience in the criminal justice system waiting for the outcome, and learning the verdict.”

Content provided by SNAP PA

Rapist Dean Wicks has been safely locked up after being arrested at Mick and Linda's wedding in the New Year's Day episodes of EastEnders.

Shortly before being led away in handcuffs, Dean almost drowned in the lake at the posh venue, but was saved by his brother Mick, who was determined to see his hated sibling face his crimes – and get his comeuppance for raping Linda and attempting to rape Roxy Mitchell.

Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) may have saved his brother’s life during the family brawl, but Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo) will now have to face the full extent of the law as he goes on trial for his crime.

But with his hearing approaching, new images show his desperate mum Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) visiting Dean in prison, begging him to do the right thing and plead guilty.

Shirley and Dean (BBC)

On the day of his hearing, Shirley arrives in court to see her troubled son in the dock – but will he plead guilty or not guilty?

Shirley and Dean in court (BBC)

You can see Shirley and Dean come face to face again in EastEnders on 1 February. 

EastEnders fans are promised a dramatic episode on New Year’s Day as members of the Carter family end up in a freezing lake.

Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) is finally getting married to Linda (Kellie Bright), but as life-changing events rarely pass off smoothly in soapland, there is a major hitch in the shape of his brother Dean (Matt Di Angelo).

Just as the wedding is about to start, Mick is alarmed when he learns his rapist brother Dean has arrived.

Mick and Dean fight underwater (Phoebe Rudomino/BBC)

Sensing trouble, Mick watches from a distance as Dean confronts their mum Shirley (Linda Henry) by the lake.

Mick and Dean hold their breath as they battle (Phoebe Rudomino/BBC)

Mother and son get into a heated clash as an increasingly unhinged Dean hurls accusations at her over their troubled relationship.

He snaps and, fuelled by rage, pushes Shirley into the lake. Mick rushes to the scene and, despite being a poor swimmer, jumps in to try to help his mum.

Mick's not a strong swimmer (Phoebe Rudomino/BBC)

The brothers come face to face before ending up in the water where a battle for survival ensues. Mick is forced to make a decision which could have far-reaching consequences.

Mick's in trouble as Dean starts to overpower him (Phoebe Rudomino/BBC)

Danny recently revealed he had to fight for his life when he got into difficulties filming the water-based stunt.

The 38-year-old opened up about the incident at the famous Pinewood Studios.

“We went to Pinewood and we did it properly and I’ve got to say some of that stuff under the water, I was actually fighting for my life in real life. I couldn’t quite find the surface,” he said.

Is Dean watching Mick drown - or has he drowned? (Phoebe Rudomino/BBC)

“We did this big, epic battle, me and Dean, it’s a sad, sad story. The idea that he is me brother, it could’ve been so different. It tailed off into this madness,” Danny stated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HXXOS-qySE&feature=oembed

“I had to have me ear-hole syringed – a lot of lake in my ear-hole. It’s a strange feeling, but we’re committed to it. You’ve got to commit,” he continued.

EastEnders’ two special episodes will air on BBC1, January 1 at 6.30pm and 8.00pm.

It was a heart-stopping moment in EastEnders last night, when Shirley (Linda Henry) caught her son, Dean (Matt Di Angelo) trying to do to Roxy what he did to Linda (Kellie Bright).

And there’s another heart-stopping moment tonight, when Dean pleads with Shirley for help.

Now what’s Shirley going to do? Can she go on ignoring the truth about her rapist son?

“I don’t know how to help you,” Linda sobs, after Roxy (Rita Simons) has fled from the bedroom.

Shirley weeps as she's faced with the ugly truth about her son, Dean

“How about you stop patronising me!” Dean shouts at her. “How about you step up and put me first! Me! Not Mick, not Buster (Karl Howman), not Jade.”

“Jade is your daughter,” Shirley replies, shocked.

“And I am your son!” Dean wails. “I am your son so just be my mum. Please be my mum!”

“Stop it!” Shirley pleads with Dean. “Just stop it!”

But Dean can’t control himself…

Dean tells Shirley she's the one at fault

“Why was I never good enough for you?” he cries. “Why? What did I do so wrong? Why was I never good enough for you, ever?

“You’re supposed to be there, no matter what. You’re supposed to care about me no matter what.

“What is so wrong with standing by your own son? Just please, please I am begging you, make it better. Please make it better, Mum. Please!”

“Okay,” Shirley tells Dean, as she holds him close.

Dean begs Shirley for help. What will she do?

But how will Shirley do that?

How can Shirley ease Dean’s pain? Will she choose him again over Mick (Danny Dyer) and the rest of her family?

Or will she choose her family by ending Dean’s misery - permanently?

EastEnders continues on Tuesday, December 29, 7.30pm.

Evil rapist Dean finally snaps – but who will he hurt this time?

As EastEnders builds towards the Carters’ New Year’s Day wedding, secrets and lies are beginning to unravel in Albert Square.

And history looks set to repeat itself when a horrified Shirley Carter finds son Dean attacking his girlfriend, Roxy, and sets in motion a plan to stop him.

Shirley will catch Dean attacking Roxy (Kieron McCarron/BBC)

Shirley (Linda Henry) will catch son Dean (Matt Di Angelo) pinning Roxy (Rita Simons) down on the bed as he attempts to rape her when she tries to break up with him.

Viewers will watch in shock as Shirley appears to help her son escape justice by encouraging him to take a bath to wash off any incriminating evidence.

Dean has already raped his brother’s wife Linda and is now turning on Roxy (Kieron McCarron/BBC)

But the storyline will take a macabre twist as she instead tries to drown him in the bath, after realising that Mick and Linda (Kellie Bright) have been telling the truth about Dean the whole time.

The plot will be eerily familiar to fans who know Shirley tried to drown her son, Mick (Danny Dyer), when he was a child.

Mick (Danny Dyer) will battle to save his family on his wedding day (Jack Barnes/BBC)

Dean looks set to survive the attempt on his life, but his anger will no doubt play a big part in the upcoming underwater stunt that show bosses have planned for the New Year’s Day wedding.

As Mick and Linda prepare to say 'I Do', Dean will be preparing to take vengeance on his family. Will everyone make it out alive?

EastEnders is set to be rocked by a second rape storyline, when Dean Wicks strikes again and attacks girlfriend Roxy Mitchell.

Matt Di Angelo, who plays Dean, is set to leave the soap, but he’ll be going out with a bang.

In a shocking episode last year, Dean raped his brother Mick’s partner, Linda Carter.

Matt Di Angelo plays EastEnders rapist Dean Wicks (BBC)

Now, programme bosses are working alongside Rape Crisis to develop the new plot to screen in the next couple of months, the Daily Mirror has reported.

Dean and Roxy’s relationship has already been marked by his controlling behaviour, and he is set to attempt to rape his girlfriend, played by Rita Simons.

Dean, who could exit EastEnders early in 2016 around the time of Linda and Mick’s wedding, will face 'justice' before he goes, the BBC has promised.

EastEnders’ Linda Carter (BBC)

The show’s executive producer, Dominic Treadwell-Collins, said: “There is justice. And how it’s meted out will be satisfying but shocking too.”

In September it was revealed that Danny Dyer had been fitted for a wetsuit so he could film a stunt in water, wtih speculation suggesting it may be a fight to the death with Dean.

The shock sex attack last year generated huge ratings for the show and led to numerous awards for Kellie Bright, who plays rape survivor Linda.

Rape Crisis, a charity which helps the survivors of rape and sexual violence, has given support to the storyline.

Matt Di Angelo as Dean Wicks (Kieron McCarron/BBC)

A spokeswoman said: “EastEnders has covered every other conceivable issue. If sexual violence or rape was the only big topic EastEnders never approached, it would reinforce the idea sexual violence is unspeakable.

“Because people relate to soaps they can have a social impact and make people feel less alone or encourage them to come forward and seek support for the first time.”

If there's one thing Ronnie detests more than Dean, it's the thought of EastEnders' twisted hairdresser being in a relationship with her sis, Roxy.

Mick's not planning to send his loathed younger brother a Christmas card either, but when he and Ronnie joined forces to get shot of Dean before Bonfire Night, the result was a damp squib. Now Dean and Roxy are planning to leave London, so Ronnie knows it's time to up her game – or face losing Roxy for good.

Roxy's plan to move away forces Ronnie into a rethink. Seemingly accepting the idea, she asks Roxy if she can buy her share of the house – then slips Billy the keys to Blades…

The next morning, Dean arrives at the salon and discovers there's been a break-in. He realises there's more to the burglary than meets the eye, but is then backed into a corner by Ronnie and forced to pop the question to Roxy – who accepts his proposal!

To Dean and Roxy's surprise, Ronnie turns up at their engagement celebrations full of apologies for her earlier behaviour. But whose bag is that she's rummaging through?

It's clear Ronnie is up to no good when she sends a furtive text – but from whose phone?

Could it be a coincidence that, moments later, Dean receives a text?

Someone's clearly playing games. Dangerous games. But will Ronnie's plan to get rid of Dean work?

Later, the pair meet up at The Albert, where the scene is set for a dramatic showdown. Has Ronnie finally got the better of her rival? Or has the crafty crimper got one final trick up his sleeve?

Watch all the drama unfold on EastEnders, BBC1, from Monday, November 9

EastEnders star Matt Di Angelo will be leaving the show in a gripping new storyline.

Matt returned to the show last year as character Dean Wicks, who, in shocking scenes, viewers saw rape his brother’s wife, Linda Carter.

(Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron/BBC)

A BBC spokesperson said: “We can confirm Matt will be leaving and wish him all the best.”

The Mirror reported that Dean 'gets his comeuppance' for the rape, with a source adding, “Matt’s exit will be explosive. Viewers are in for a nail-biting treat.”

EastEnders' executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins had previously promised fans that justice would be done.

The Carter/Wicks clan, with Dean, second left, and Linda, centre (Des Willie/BBC)

“There is justice. And how it’s meted out will be satisfying but shocking too,” he said.

Matt has yet to face any punishment for raping Linda, played by Kellie Bright, after authorities dropped the case against him.

His dark side emerged again recently when he deliberately burned his girlfriend Roxy Mitchell with hair straighteners.

Dean with mother Shirley (Linda Henry) and father Buster (Karl Howman) (Jack Barnes/BBC)

Matt first joined EastEnders in 2006, but left just two years later. He returned in April 2014 and signed a year’s contract, which has since been extended for another 12 months.

At the moment it isn’t known when Matt will be leaving the show.

He is currently involved in another major storyline that sees Dean pursuing custody of a daughter he never knew existed from a past one-night-stand.

Matt previously played Sean in Hustle (BBC/Indiria Cesarine/Kudos)

Matt became runner-up on Strictly Come Dancing in 2007 and has starred in Hustle and The Borgias.

After what Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo) did to Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons) in last Friday’s episode, we were starting to think that Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack) would kill again to save her sister…

Burning with anger and jealousy because he thought Roxy wanted Charlie Cotton (Declan Bennett), Dean purposely burned Roxy’s neck with curling tongs while he was styling her hair.

Dean said it was an accident - but then he said he didn’t rape Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), too…

He’s definitely going to his dark side again and Roxy is definitely in danger.

But, at a recent TV festival, EastEnders’ boss Dominic Treadwell-Collins and Danny Dyer hinted heavily that justice will be served by Mick Carter (Danny’s character), not the Mitchells…

Danny said that he hates the character of Dean “with a passion” and revealed the story is going to come to a conclusion. “The geezer’s going to get it,” Danny said. “Don’t worry. He’s going to get it.

Dominic added: “There are a lot of big resolutions coming in the New Year. Danny has been fitted for a wetsuit and he’s going into water.”

Will Mick and Dean have some kind of furious water fight, where it becomes a desperate “sink or swim” battle for survival?

The thing is, Mick’s not much of a swimmer, having had to overcome a fear of water after his mum tried to drown him in the bath when he was a baby.

So we hope he has more than a wetsuit to help him defeat Dean…

EastEnders continues on BBC1, Monday, September 28, 8.00pm.

We know Roxy Mitchell has been having fun and frolics with bad boy Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo) in EastEnders, and that her big sis, Ronnie, isn't happy about her choice of bloke (it's better than Charlie, Ronnie's husband, surely).

So when Ronnie (Samantha Womack) discovers Roxy's been telling fibs about ending it with the dodgy hairdresser, there's yet another Mitchell confrontation in store. But will Roxy (Rita Simons) convince her controlling sibling that she's ended the fling and ditched Dean or is a doubting Ronnie about to come up with another cunning plan?

After Roxy had reassured concerned sister Ronnie that she had dumped loverboy Dean, Ronnie is on to her when she recognises a new top Roxy's wearing - the very same that she spotted Dean buying at the market earlier that day!

Unwilling to let Roxy off the hook, Ronnie confronts her about her lies and ongoing affair with Dean. As a result, Roxy's forced into admitting that she's still seeing him. Given Ronnie's reputation for getting rid of folk she doesn't like, what has she got planned for Dean?

After rowing with Roxy, and then apologising, Ronnie puts on the charm and pretends she's fine about the couple. She even invites the dark and moody Dean to dinner to put things right, which he thinks is promising... until she warns him not to hurt Roxy. Or else! 

But a fuming Dean is well aware of Ronnie's devious meddling, having accidentally discovered her CCTV set-up at home, and decides it's time that her trusting little sis is told all about Ronnie's sneaky snooping. Will Roxy believe him?

As Dean snaps when Roxy defends her sister and blurts out paranoid Ronnie's method of keeping tabs on Roxy, little do the pair realise that the CCTV is still in operation and Ronnie is keeping tabs on the pair and all that's being said.

How will Ronnie handle the revelation? But more to the point, how will riled Roxy react when she confronts her sister over her spying?

Roxy knows Ronnie is capable of some underhand ways, but this shock revelation could wreck their relationship for good. Will Ronnie come to regret her I-Spy antics and will husband Charlie find out, too, now it's out in the open?

When Roxy confronts Ronnie about her prying and controlling actions, how will Ronnie explain herself? Or is it too late to even try? This could be the end of the road for the sisters' already rocky relationship...

Watch the drama play out on EastEnders on BBC1 from Monday, August 10.

When Matt Di Angelo discovered that his EastEnders character Dean Wicks was to rape the hugely popular Linda Carter, he prepared himself for the worst. A torrent of abuse both on Twitter and in public is only to be expected when you’re Walford current vile villain...

What kind of reaction did you get about the rape storyline?

“I was surprised to get such positive comments. And believe me, people think they can tell you anything when you are an actor. I would never go up to an electrician and say, ‘You want to be using a 30 amp there mate, you’re not doing it right’ yet people think they can come up and critique my career. It can be a bit random, but it is nice to be appreciated.”

Now that the dust has settled, Dean seems to be relaxing back to life on the Square. How are you enjoying the lighter storylines?

“Dean really needs normality in his life. There is a genuine connection there with Roxy and he is kind of taking Ronnie’s interference with a pinch of salt. He knows she is a bit strange, so he tries to keep her at arm's length.

“It’s great for me as things have calmed down a bit. I have even managed to book myself a holiday for a few weeks' time. I enjoy working alongside Rita Simons who plays Roxy. We’ve got a lot in common and she is a good laugh. I have had a lot of fun here since I came back.”

Did you expect to have so much fun?

“I said I would come back for a year, but I wasn’t sure how I would feel after 12 minutes let alone 12 months. I didn’t know if I was going to hate it. Or perhaps I wouldn’t be able to handle the pace. I have spent the last six years doing some nice dramas where we had plenty of time to do the work.

“It turns out that I have had a really good time. It has been nice to have steady work from a financial point of view because it is tough when you are out there and not working. The experience has been so good, I decided to extend my contract for another 12 months.”

How do you find managing the demanding life of Eastenders?

“You do 13-14 hour days, but then you have to go home and learn your lines. You then realise that you’d better get to bed as you are back in five hours' time. But I knew that was part of the job and you just have to suck it up.

“It does take over your life and you are constantly tired, but that is what you are being paid to do. The one thing I do is prepare proper meals at home as I don’t want to be eating rubbish or nothing at all.”

How do you unwind after a busy day?

“I go home, have a cheeky gin and tonic and put on Don’t Tell The Bride or Rich Kids of Beverly Hills. Any really awful trashy TV where there is a special layer of hell! It’s trashy TV that makes me feel great.”

Do you think Dean will get away with his crime?

“I think that will happen,. I think it is perfectly believable that he got off because there was no evidence, but when you watch a soap, you do want to see the villain lose.

“Although, when Dean stands at the bar in the Queen Vic, he could very well be standing next to two murderers, people who are having affairs, others who are burying bodies... There are murderers walking around the Square, but for some reason, it seems worse to have a rapist on the loose.

“It is weird how our brains become numb to certain things. I can watch Arnold Schwarzenneger shoot 20 people in a film and not bat an eyelid, but if I see a dog get run over on TV, I will be in bits. I will start crying. I think what makes Dean’s rape so shocking is that it was unexpected. People forget that in the same episode, Shirley was walking around with a handgun and ended up putting a couple of caps into Phil Mitchell.

“Put it this way, Dean is now the baddie of the show, so whatever happens from now on, it isn’t going to be good.”

What does the future have in store for you?

“I don’t know. I am enjoying it here at the moment, but there are also other things that I want to do. I am young and there are other roles and shows I would like to do.

“I also get a bit lazy working in soap as you are doing it so quickly, you don’t have the chance to put as much into your performance as you would say, in the theatre. 

“I am not sure what is ahead for me, I am just cracking on, keeping my head down and enjoying the fact that we are doing some good work here.”

EastEnders rapist Dean Wicks may not go to prison, but he is going to pay for his actions in a variety of ways.

Matt Di Angelo, who plays the shunned member of the Carter family who raped sister-in-law Linda (Kellie Bright), explained that for the sake of representing rape realistically it was unlikely that Dean would ever do time for his actions, but said that did not mean that he wouldn’t still suffer some punishment.

He told Inside Soap: “At the end of the day it’s a soap, so we have to finish the story and not leave it unresolved in any way. I’m not saying he should go to prison, though – I don’t think he should, because the real-life statistics don’t reflect that.

Dean (Matt Di Angelo) has been shunned by most of the Square except mum Shirley (Linda Henry) (BBC)

“If we are trying to do a serious and real story, it would almost be an insult to all the real victims who’ve actually been through this situation. It would be like saying, ‘These criminals all go to prison,’ when they don’t.

“The vast majority of these people don’t face judicial punishment, and that’s one thing EastEnders really wanted to get across. That’s what makes it so good – everyone feels that sense of injustice."

Matt went on: “But there are other ways for Dean to be punished, like getting physically abused by Mick, or having his financial or personal life attacked. He’s constantly being faced with that – viewers will see him being punished on a daily basis.”

Linda (Kellie Bright) was attacked by Dean (BBC)

The actor even thinks viewers may feel some sympathy for his character.

He said: “I think you should feel for him because he’s really messed up. He doesn’t even realise what he’s done yet, so he thinks that all the persecution is completely unjustified.

“He’s shocked and genuinely upset as he doesn’t understand why everyone believes these lies.”

Matt Di Angelo thinks his character Dean shouldn’t go to jail (BBC)

Matt went on: “He’s quite a level-headed guy, and that was the interesting thing about the rape storyline. It was showing that someone who you think is very normal and is your average guy can make a mistake and mess up like that.

“It doesn’t mean that he’s a panto villain – he doesn’t walk into the Vic in a cloud of smoke! He’s still a normal person and we wanted to show that those people live on and how it affects their life.

“When the time comes, I’m sure we’ll revisit the story and wrap it up.”

Buster informs Dean he is Jade's father, but how will he handle it in EastEnders?

All hell breaks loose when Dean Wicks dsicovers his and Shabnam's daughter is alive in EastEnders

Dean Wicks has been led to believe that the child he conceived with Shabnam is dead. But in EastEnders next week, he disover the truth – his daughter is alive and well.

Shabnam Masood (Rakhee Thakrar) has been trying to hide the fact that in her absence from Walford she gave birth to a baby girl, who she left on her aunt’s doorstep. Now, however, the secret is slowly coming out with some people in the know and some left in the dark. 

Dean (Matt Di Angelo) confronts dad Buster (Karl Howman) (BBC)

After finding out that he's not the father of Linda’s baby Oliver,  Dean has realised he would love to be a dad. Although he has been told that Shabnam’s baby died, Dean begins to suspect there's more to the story when he spots a suspicious conversation between Shabnam’s dad Masood (Nitin Ganatra) and his own father Buster (Karl Howman).

Buster is left with no choice but to come clean about the truth when his son confronts him – that the girl is still alive and he knows where she lives.

Buster reveals Dean’s daughter’s address (BBC)

Dean gets hold of her address and says he is set on visiting her – but will his mum Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) and Buster be able to convince him to leave well alone? And if the full story comes out, how will it impact on Shabnam’s upcoming wedding to Kush Kazemi (Davood Ghadami)?

The episode is set to air on BBC1 on 15 June.

Photos of the square's Lottery winners as they depart Walford forever

Just two days after a real-life blaze broke out in Albert Square, viewers will see Matt Di Angelo’s character Dean Wicks try to burn down the Queen Vic tonight.

The confrontation takes place when Dean returns to Walford with revenge in mind and a can of petrol in his hand.

Dean Wicks plans to set fire to the pub (BBC)

He ends up in the pub’s barrel store with Nancy Carter (Maddy Hill) as a hostage and her father Mick (Danny Dyer) desperate to stop him.

Firefighters were called out to EastEnders' set for real on Tuesday after a fire was started in one of the buildings.

Viewers watching tonight should discover who murdered Lucy Beale in an end to the show’s long-running whodunnit, while the soap’s 30th anniversary week ends on Friday with a special live episode.

EastEnders' Dean Wicks will be confronted by the cops over the rape of Linda Carter tonight, but the series producer suggested that police solving the crime would not be 'satisfying for the viewer'.

After being arrested, the bad boy, played by Matt D'Angelo, is questioned by the police as they investigate the claims by the Queen Vic landlady (Kellie Bright) that he raped her.

As Dean pleads his innocent and tells his version of events, his mum Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) finds herself caught between her other son Mick (Danny Dyer) and Dean once more.

EastEnders' producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins has said that viewers for the BBC soap will be pleased with the storyline's conclusion.

"We're not The Bill. That show was about the police solving things. I don't have main characters who are police officers," he told the Daily Mail.

"We have tried very hard to create police characters who are interesting and who have their own stories. And there are more police twists coming up. But that's not who my viewers are tuning in to see. They want to see Linda and Mick. They're the people they care about and not the police. So the police solving it is not satisfying for the viewer."

Dominic previously hinted that Dean may not face the courts.

"In real life, a lot of people don't get their comeuppance. There will have to be a satisfying ending to the story, but it won't be what you expect," he said in October.

"The easy and wrong way to tell the story would be to have Dean arrested and taken off to prison. I'd loved to have done a big trial, but there won't be one."

Viewers can see the outcome in tonight's EastEnders, which screens at 8pm on BBC One.

Matt Di Angelo says the EastEnders live episode and live scenes are 'intense' and 'crazy'.

Speaking at the National TV Awards, Matt, who plays Dean Wicks, told What's on TV: "We're just getting ready for the live episodes, which are... intense, they're crazy. From the scripts that I've seen a lot of it is censored, a lot of it's not coming through to you unless you're involved with it...

"From what I've seen it's going to make some waves."

Matt is currently in the thick of a dramatic storyline in which his character raped Linda Carter, and he added: "The storyline's been taken... well, in aspects of how dark it is."

Watch the interview with EastEnders' Matt Di Angelo, above.

EastEnders’ Carter family are struggling to put a brave face on things with a karaoke night, but are pushed over the edge when Dean Wicks turns up.

Queen Vic landlord Mick (Danny Dyer) rallies his family together for a fun event at the pub to show that it is business as usual, but it takes a sour turn when an unwelcome guest arrives.

Mick confronts Dean (BBC/Kieron McCarron)

Mick found out at Christmas that his wife Linda (Kellie Bright) was raped by Dean Wicks, who he thought was his nephew, but is actually his brother.

Mick has been supporting Linda through her ordeal (BBC/Kieron McCarron)

While Linda is about to brave the police station to report the crime, Dean is the last person the Carters want to see, so when he walks into the pub to have a drink with Denise Fox (Diane Parish), Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker) and Kim Fox (Tameka Empson), Mick immediately tries to throw him out.

Dean refuses to leave, but as mum Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) tries to drag him outside, how will Mick react – and why is Shirley so keen for him to leave?

All will be revealed on EastEnders in the episode that screens on BBC One on January 29.

Regulator Ofcom has cleared the BBC of breaching broadcasting rules with a controversial rape storyline in EastEnders which prompted a number of complaints.

More than 90 people wrote to Ofcom to voice concerns about the incident, screened in October, in which Queen Vic landlady Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) was attacked by Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo).

There were also further complaints directly to the BBC about the scenes.

But Ofcom has cleared the edition of the BBC1 soap as the result of warnings given to viewers and its avoidance of graphic content.

A spokesman for the regulator said: "After carefully investigating complaints about this scene, Ofcom found the BBC took appropriate steps to limit offence to viewers.

"This included a warning before the episode and implying the assault, rather than depicting it.

"Ofcom also took into account the programme's role in presenting sometimes challenging or distressing social issues."

A peak audience of 7.3 million tuned in to the episode and the BBC defended it after the broadcast, citing the soap's "rich history" of showing difficult storylines.

It said at the time: "We have been extremely mindful of the content within the episode and the timeslot in which it was shown, and at no point have there been any scenes of a graphic nature.

"In fact, the attack on Linda was implied and was not explicit."

EastEnders’ Mick Carter gets much more than he bargained for this Christmas – when he finally learns that Dean Wicks raped his wife Linda.

And Mick (Danny Dyer) is not one to hold back when it comes to lashing out at Dean (Matt Di Angelo) and attacking him.

Mick Carter attacks Dean Wicks in EastEnders on Christmas Day (BBC)

When the pub landlord finds out the truth, he launches himself at Dean and throws him across the Queen Vic, while Linda (Kellie Bright) and Shirley Carter try to stop him.

And there are more hard to hear home truths for Mick to come.

Mick Carter beats Dean Wicks (BBC)

All his life he has thought Shirley (Linda Henry) is his sister. But she is in fact his mum, making Dean his half brother.

The Carter family are in for a rocky 2015 (BBC)

EastEnders’ executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins previously revealed that Danny was himself very upset by what happened to Linda, and wanted a chance for his character to lash out at rapist Dean.

Dominic said: “He’s such a puppy, he just doesn’t like it. It just makes him sad, but also he’s Danny Dyer and he wants to smash things.”

These explosive scenes will screen on Christmas Day at 9pm on BBC One.

EastEnders star Kellie Bright has revealed that love will win out in Linda and Mick Carter’s marriage, despite the Christmas episode rape revelation.

When Mick proposes to pregnant Linda on Christmas Day, she finally tells him that Dean Wicks raped her. But despite Linda’s fears that he could doubt her story, a distraught Mick stands by her.

Kellie said: “I never had a doubt that Mick Carter would react in that way. Mick Carter is the best husband on the planet.”

Dean (Matt Di Angelo) has tried to intimidate Linda by saying that this will tear her marriage apart, but Bright has stronger faith in Linda's relationship with Mick, who is played by Danny Dyer. However, this does not mean things will be easy after the revelation.

Kellie said: “It would be unfair for everything to be rosy again after. It changes them, I mean it really does change their relationship, and they also have an unborn child thrown into the mix as well.”

During the festive special episode, which will air on BBC One on Christmas Day, Linda also confesses to Mick that she does not know whether he or Dean is the father of her unborn baby.

Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins said he wanted to put the power in Linda's hands and show rape victims that they do not have to keep their ordeal a secret.

He said: “The constant through it all is their love and we also kept hold of that, because we want women out there who’ve been through this, who haven’t spoken out to go, ‘Oh, it’s going to be OK when I tell my husband, it’s going to be OK when I speak out’.”

Dominic added: “Things aren't always going to be smooth, they are going to get rocky, but ultimately there will be a happy ending.”

The soap producer also revealed that Danny was himself very upset by what happened to Linda, and wanted a chance for his character to lash out at rapist Dean.

Dominic said: “He’s such a puppy, he just doesn’t like it. It just makes him sad, but also he’s Danny Dyer and he wants to smash things.”

EastEnders continues on BBC1, Monday, December 22, 8.00pm

Photos of the storyline in EastEnders

EastEnders star Matt Di Angelo says he does not mind getting 'abuse' from viewers for playing rapist Dean Wicks if the shocking storyline helps real-life victims.

His character will be shown attacking Queen Vic landlady Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) in Monday's episode which goes out on BBC One at 8pm.

EastEnders executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins said Matt was shocked when he was first told about the storyline and 'argued' with him about it before agreeing to do it.

He said: "The audience can get confused between the actor and the character and we were very, very aware of that and Matt was aware of it, but he has a profile outside the show anyway."

Matt, who is back at EastEnders for the second time, said he was worried because his face was 'so recognisable' and associated with his character.

He said: "This show is so popular and you're in people's houses every night so to be associated with that crime, like I said if I have to get abuse on Twitter or a punch in the mouth I'm fine with that as long as one person speaks out".

Dominic said 'a lot' was cut from the scene because it was 'too close to the edge' and the show worked with the charity Rape Crisis during filming.

He said: "That shot where Dean gets up and leaves the kitchen and Linda is left on that table like a piece of meat is shocking and simple and powerful, yet if your child walked into the room they wouldn't know what was going on which I think is also important."

EastEnders star Matt Di Angelo has confessed he didn’t want to take on Dean Wicks' upcoming rape storyline at first - because he was afraid.

The 27-year-old actor returned to the soap earlier this year after six years away from Albert Square and his character Dean, has developed an unhealthy obsession with Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) and is set to rape her.

“My initial response was that I didn’t want to do it,” Matt admitted.

“I was pretty scared because it’s challenging and some of the most intense work I’ve ever done.

“But it’s an important story to tell, and I’m glad to have the opportunity to do so.”

And on why Dean rapes Linda, Matt said: “He has genuine feelings and is starting to fall in love with Linda.

“But I think it’s the Carter family unit that he’s actually in awe of, more than the woman herself.

“Dean sees Mick [Danny Dyer] in The Vic with a wife and kids who love him, and Dean wants some of that happiness for himself.”

Of course, Dean doesn’t know - yet - that Mick is his brother…

EastEnders continues on BBC1, Monday, September 8, 8.00pm.

We wondered where EastEnders was going with Dean Wicks’ obsession with Linda Carter - and now we know: Dean is going to rape Linda.

“This story rips into the heart of the Carter family,” reveals EastEnders executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins.  “It will change lives forever, testing Mick [Danny Dyer] and Linda’s marriage and exposing some very dark secrets as we move from autumn through to Christmas and beyond.

“EastEnders has a history of telling important human stories that have the potential to make a real difference to people’s lives,” adds Dominic. “We have been working closely with Rape Crisis to tell the story which encourages women who have been in a similar situation to Linda to speak out.

“Kellie Bright [Linda] and Matt Di Angelo [Dean] both give such brave, raw and intelligent performances.”

Kellie said: “I feel honoured to be given the responsibility of raising awareness of such an important issue. To be entrusted with this storyline, which will not only highlight the issue but also educate against many myths surrounding rape, is a privilege. The statistics that I have learnt from researching this subject matter are so shocking that I hope by EastEnders tackling this storyline, it will help make small progressive steps towards changing people's perceptions of what rape is.”

Speaking about Dean’s involvement, Matt revealed: “This is an extremely challenging storyline to play, but an incredibly important story to tell. Kellie and I have been lucky enough to have the support of everyone at EastEnders and Rape Crisis have been extremely helpful with our research.”

EastEnders has a history of tackling social issues and rape is one of these. Since the show started in 1985, the issue has been tackled numerous times including Kathy Beale’s attack by Willmott Brown and Trevor Morgan’s attack on his wife, Little Mo.

EastEnders has been working closely alongside Rape Crisis Rape Crisis on the upcoming storyline, which will also see Linda having to come to terms with what has happened to her following the attack - from a member of her own family.

This storyline will not only tackle the issue of rape, but also the importance of how vital it is to speak out - something which Rape Crisis is keen to highlight.

“It is important that these stories are told within dramas to start to change the public narrative around rape which heavily blames survivors,” says Fiona Elvines, Operations Co-ordinator of Rape Crisis, South London. "Equally, given the fact that each year 85,000 women and girls and almost 10,000 men are raped in this country, the subject needs to be approached factually and empathically, with a motivation not to entertain but to inform.

"The team at EastEnders, from producers and researchers, to writers and actors, have demonstrated a commitment to getting the balance right, working closely with us to create a story that tells some of the truths of sexual violence. We hope this commitment shows through and that anyone watching the show who feels they want to talk about their own experiences feels able to call the National Rape Crisis Helpline.”

You can get more information on the Rape Crisis website: www.rapecrisis.org.uk, or by calling: 0808 802 9999.

EastEnders continues on BBC1, Monday, September 1, 8.00pm.

Lauren Branning been chasing Dean Wicks for a while now - and we can reveal that Dean finally lets her catch him and sleeps with her. But why?

It looked like dodgy Dean (Matt Di Angelo) only had eyes for older woman Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) and he wasn’t backward at coming forward to let her know how he felt…letting his hands roam and his lips land on hers.

But Linda was shocked, not flattered and has been keeping out of reach of Dean’s wandering hands.

Is that why Dean turns his attention to Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) and takes her to bed? Or is he hoping to make Linda jealous?

Whatever his reasons, we don’t think Lauren has finally found “the one” in Dean. We think Dean could mess her up just as badly as Jake did…

After spending the night together, Lauren’s hurt when Dean tells her their relationship is just casual. Dean softens when he sees he has upset Lauren but we still doubt his intentions are honourable.

Dean had his heart set on taking over Mick’s life - not knowing  that Mick (Danny Dyer), the man he thinks is his uncle, is actually his brother.

We think Dean hasn’t really given up on that plan. He thinks the Carters have it all - and he wants it.

Which is why we also think that Lauren won’t be the only person who is going to be hurt by Dean as the Carter family continues to slowly unravel.

You can see Dean seduce Lauren in EastEnders on BBC1, Monday, August 18.

EastEnders continues on BBC1 on Monday, August 11, 8.00pm.

Aunt Babe's drugs operation is in peril when the police descend on Albert Square following Tiff's hash cake scandal at school.

When the police arrive, Mick asks Dean to urgently dump the cannabis, but instead he hides it at Blades. A suspicious Shirley decides to do some snooping and she soon finds the drugs...

What will she do with them?

Get the scoop on this and Carol's shock discovery about Charlie Cotton in next week's EastEnders:

EastEnders’ Annette Badland tells Soaplife what happens when Aunt Babe’s exposed to the Carter clan as a drugs dealer after Tiffany accidentally takes some hash brownies to school...

Is Aunt Babe bringing trouble to the Carters’ door?

“I think she would want to protect her family from what she’s doing privately. She loves her family and she’s very proud to now have contact with them again, so she wouldn’t want to lose that.”

What do you think her family make of it?

“She offered them the chance to go into business with her selling marijuana, but they said ’no’. They don’t know the size of her operation. She involves Tina for good reasons. Tina wants to have a baby and it’s helping her with the money for that, but I think she probably regrets getting Tina involved now.”

Is she angry with Tina (Luisa Bradshaw-White) for exposing their set-up? 

“She’s annoyed at Tina when it happens because she has warned her, but it’s not Tina’s fault. She didn’t do it deliberately. They were taken from her in the cafe [and handed out by an unwitting Tiffany at school].”

So why does she lie and say she’s getting rid of the drugs but give them to Dean (Matt Di Angelo) to stash?

“Babe sees it as an awful lot of money to lose! It’s her livelihood. She doesn’t really trust Dean, either, though. He’s hot-headed and young and that’s not really what she needs, but she can’t manage alone.”

Then the stash goes missing and Aunt Babe realises Shirley (Linda Henry) is behind it. How does she react?

“That’s enormous for her. She has the front of being a jolly person, but she’s furious. She can’t let that out, though. She has to reign that anger in. She won’t expose herself by being furious, she supresses it and torments Shirley with what she may do - such as tell Mick that Shirley’s his mum. She loves Shirley, but she has to protect herself…”

EastEnders, BBC1. Click here for air dates.

Returning to EastEnders after seven years away, Matt Di Angelo reveals to Soaplife how he - and Dean - feel about being back in Albert Square. And how not everyone is happy to see him...

What brings Dean to The Queen Vic?

“He comes to have a quick pint with his granddad, under the illusion that there wouldn’t be anyone else in the family there, so Stan has obviously lied. It’s a bit stupid, but Dean is slightly naïve.”

And he comes face to face with his estranged mum, Shirley…

“That puts him on the back foot and he ignores her. If you can’t say anything nice, then don’t say anything at all, he thinks. But she keeps pushing him and pushing him until he eventually says some very hurtful things.”

Like what?

“Well, everything he says is the truth, which sometimes is the most upsetting thing. And the truth is she walked out on her son Jimbo, who was very sick with cystic fibrosis. She abandoned him, and then didn’t turn up to his funeral, so that’s what Dean is angry about. But Mick punches him for upsetting Shirley… Dean doesn’t see it coming!”

Does Dean actually hate Shirley?

“I don’t think he hates her. I think he’s very angry with her and resents her a lot. I don’t think you can ever really hate your mum, but you can go through phases of disliking her. At the end of the day, though, it’s your mum. You grew inside her!”

Can they salvage their relationship?

“Well, if Shirley apologises for the things she’s done and tries to make amends, then maybe.”

How is Dean with the rest of the Carter family?

“He hasn’t known them long enough to have an opinion of them, they just seem like a normal family. Obviously he’s very fond of his granddad, but the rest of them he doesn’t really know.”

Does Dean want to be in Albert Square?

“He’s a bit of a nomad. He works as a barber and doesn’t care where he is. It’s just another place - with some familiar and some fresh faces. Dean likes plenty of eye candy to look at, so he’s quite enjoying being back.”

And are you?

“It’s great to see the old friends and faces. It was one of my very first jobs, so it was kind of like an apprenticeship last time I was here. I was 18 years old when I started - I’m 27 now so some things have changed, some haven’t. It’s strange being back, but enjoyable.”

The shocks keep coming in Albert Square' when Jake Stone is arrested for Lucy's murder and Dean Wicks suddenly reappears!

Police act on information given to them by Lauren that Jake was the mystery client Lucy had set off to meet when she met her grisly end. They swoop and arrest Jake and the evidence begins to stack up against him...

Elsewhere, Shirley is shocked when her estranged son, Dean (Matt Di Angelo), turns up. But it's far from a happy homecoming – Dean lays into her in the The Vic with some ugly home truths about growing up as her son and is only stopped when Uncle Mick punches him!

Watch the scoop on next week's EastEnders:

EastEnders' Mick Carter is set to punch his nephew Dean Wicks within minutes of being reunited.

The pub landlord, played by Danny Dyer, will greet his relative in the non-traditional way after they meet at the Queen Vic with Mick's sister and Dean's mother Shirley Carter.

After not seeing her estranged son for years, Shirley (Linda Henry) appears to be devastated when their first meeting doesn't go as she'd hoped. As Dean (Matt Di Angelo) tells her some home truths and tears into his mum in front of everyone, his uncle warns him to stop.

But when Dean continues, Mick, unable to stand by and watch his sister being treated badly, decides to take matters into his own hands, sending him crashing to the floor.

Matt is returning to EastEnders after a six-year hiatus. He was last seen in 2008, after spending time in prison.

"It's such an exciting time for the show and the Carter/Wicks family that I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to reprise the role of Dean," the actor said. "I'm looking forward to getting back on the Square."

The episode will screen on EastEnders on Thursday, May 15.

– Press Association