EastEnders star Simone Lahbib on why she WANTS Katy Lewis behind bars

Mick and Katy EastEnders
Mick and Katy EastEnders

Tonight's EastEnders saw Shirley discover the horrifying truth about Katy's abuse...

EastEnders star Simone Lahbib, better known as Katy Lewis on the soap, has admitted she thinks her character deserves to be brought to justice for her crimes.

Fans of the soap will know that before Christmas Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) discovered that Katy Lewis groomed and abused him when he was a young boy.

Mick Carter and Katy Lewis in EastEnders

Mick discovered last year that he had been keeping his dark past buried (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC / Kieron McCarron)

The shock of what happened, something he had buried deep since he was in care, sent Mick reeling and left his marriage to Linda in tatters.

More: These iconic EastEnders episodes are available to stream on BBC iPlayer 

Thankfully he has now found the courage to open up about what happened and Linda (Kellie Bright) is by his side, supporting him every step of the way.

But with Katy still in his life it's hard for Mick to move on... and of course there's the small matter of Frankie, the daughter he has discovered he shares with Katy.

EastEnders Shirley discovers the truth

Shirley has finally discovered the truth about what has left Mick so traumatised (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC / Jack Barnes)

Shirley knows everything 

However, tonight's EastEnders saw Shirley discover the dark truth about what happened to Mick... something that she had no idea he'd been hiding for so long.

The truth emerged when Katy wrongly accused Mick of getting Frankie to call the police, but as the pair argued, little did they know Shirley was listening to every word.

Full of rage over what happened to her son, Shirley saw red and lashed out at Katy... attacking her in the middle of the street.

Katy and Frankie EastEnders

Mick and Katy's daughter, Frankie, also knows the dark truth about the past (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC / Jack Barnes)

But Simone admits that she loved filming the fight... "When I heard about the fight I was glad to see it happening, I could imagine the audience saying 'Yes! Go Shirley!' with a real feeling of satisfaction because Katy is such a nasty character."

"I did my own make up - it was funny we were just about to go for a take that ended up being slightly delayed and I was there with all this fake blood up my nose, head tipped back trying to keep it all in there! It’s so sticky and sweet, I would have loved to use even more of it!"

Is Katy heading to jail?

Simone even thinks her character deserves everything she has got coming to her...

"Personally, I really want Mick to report her. I really want to see Katy Lewis get her just desserts and justice to be served.

"I hope it goes beyond Shirley beating her up and that she goes to prison!"

EastEnders airs Mondays at 8.05pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.35pm and Fridays at 8.30pm on BBC One - see our TV Guide for full listings.

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 


After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off


She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 


As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.