EastEnders fans are left reeling as Mick Carter reveals he was the victim of child abuse after fathering daughter Frankie when he was just 12
- If you have been affected by this story you can call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000
EastEnders fans couldn’t contain their shock on Monday as it was revealed that Mick Carter was the victim of sexual abuse as child.
The shocking twist was revealed as Mick realised that the mysterious Frankie was his long-lost daughter, after fathering her with care worker Katy Harris when he was just 12 years old.
Bosses have now revealed that Mick will struggled to come to terms with his historic abuse in the emotional storyline, and have worked with charities Survivors UK and the NSPCC to ensure the issue has been handled sensitively.
Scroll down for video
Horrific: EastEnders fans couldn’t contain their shock on Monday as it was revealed that Mick Carter was the victim of sexual abuse as child
Since Frankie (played by Rose Ayling-Ellis) arrived in Albert Square fans have theorised about her true identity, with the truth finally being revealed when she admitted to Mick (Danny Dyer) he could be her dad.
Mick’s aunt Tina then revealed her identity to the rest of the Carter clan, having known Frankie’s mum Katy from their years in care.
But the truth was finally revealed as Tina joked that Katy was ‘in love’ with Mick when he was just 12, with Frankie finally realising the truth about her conception.
Upsetting: The shocking twist was revealed as Mick realised that the mysterious Frankie was his long-lost daughter, after fathering her with care worker Katy when he was just 12 years old
Upsetting: Mick realised he was Frankie’s father, but appeared to be in denial about their abuse, insisting their relationship was just ‘an affair’
Pulling Mick aside, she quickly told her dad she now knew he’d been sexually abused by Katy in care, despite his insistence it was just ‘an affair.’
The twist sparked a flurry of reaction on social media, with some fans praising the soap of tackling the issue of abuse from a male perspective.
One wrote: ‘So Mick was abused in care? Biggest shock ever!!’ while another added: ‘#EastEnders I’m getting this right aren’t I? Mick Carter fathered Frankie when he was 12… !?’
A third added: ‘Haven’t seen the recent #EastEnders but Mick Carter is involved in a child sexual abuse plot??? B****y hell.’
Emotional: Frankie was equally stunned to learn the truth about her conception, branding Mick’s abuse ‘disgusting’
One also wrote: ‘Frankie’s mum sexually abused Mick! About time female on male sexual abuse was covered in soaps!’
‘B****y hell! Mick was 12 when he was sexually abused by this Katy woman and she gave birth to Frankie?! That’s so disturbing and dark! Poor Mick!
‘Probably one of the most brave, eye-opening stories any soap has ever done,’ a viewed also praised.
Important: The twist sparked a flurry of reaction on social media, with some fans praising the soap of tackling the issue of abuse from a male perspective
Hard: EastEnders bosses have since confirmed that Mick will struggled to come to terms with his abuse after repressing the ordeal for years
EastEnders bosses have since confirmed that Mick will struggled to come to terms with his abuse after repressing the ordeal for years, with his mental health and panic attacks set to worsen in upcoming scenes.
Executive Producer Jon Sen said: ‘Viewers have always been aware that Mick spent many years in care, which has been the cause of his fractured relationship with Shirley but now the audience will discover just why Mick’s childhood has been so traumatic.
‘This storyline will see Mick having to confront the demons of his past, something he has desperately tried to avoid for many years and face up to the realisation that he experienced abuse whilst he was in care.
‘Our work with SurvivorsUK and NSPCC has been vital in informing and grounding Mick’s story very much in reality.
‘We hope this storyline will help to challenge the perceptions, the stigma and the shame – particularly experienced by male survivors.’
EastEnders has worked with the NSPCC and SurvivorsUK to ensure the plot is handled sensitively.
If you have been affected by this story you can call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.
EastEnders continues tonight at 7:30pm on BBC One.
Back soon: EastEnders continues tonight at 7:30pm on BBC One