EastEnders viewers were left devastated as Mick Carter blamed himself for being sexually abused as a child, following the revelation he had fathered a daughter at age 12.
The shocking twist was revealed on Monday as Mick realised that the mysterious Frankie was his long-lost daughter, after fathering her with care worker Katy Harris when he was a child himself.
The pub landlord was seen having an emotional chat with his daughter on Tuesday’s episode, where he emotionally denied being groomed and abused, saying he had ‘made the first move’ and ‘done all the chasing’ with his care worker.
Heartbreak: EastEnders viewers were left devastated as Mick Carter blamed himself for being sexually abused as a child, following the revelation he had fathered a daughter at age 12
In the scene, Mick (Danny Dyer) told Frankie (Rose Ayling-Ellis): ‘I think you’ve been a little bit quick to judge. I made the first move on your mum
‘I did all the chasing so it’s not, it can’t be her fault and I just remember thinking I can’t believe my luck.
‘And I remember I told my dad and my dad was like “go on boy, you’re living the dream”.’
It is unlikely Mick’s father, who is actually his grandfather, knew who or how old Katy was.
Shock: Frankie (Rose Ayling-Ellis) was seen emotionally telling her father: ‘You were 12. Mum was what 20? How are you even trying to justify this? Everything I thought I knew, I can’t trust it Mick’
A horrified Frankie responded: ‘The fact that you were telling daddy, did that not ring any alarm bells? Now that you’re an adult, now that you’re not 12?
‘You were 12. Mum was what 20? How are you even trying to justify this? Everything I thought I knew, I can’t trust it Mick.
‘My own mum, what did all this make me exactly?’
The heartbreaking storyline left fans devastated with one tweeting: ‘This is so heartbreaking seeing Mick blame himself for what happened..so glad EE are doing this storyline and raising awareness!! No one should have to go through this .
Another wrote: ”’It can’t be her fault…” Mick sweetie, you were a kid… it’s 100% her fault. NO QUESTIONS.
Listen: The shocking twist was revealed on Monday as Mick realised that the mysterious Frankie was his long-lost daughter, after fathering her with care worker Katy Harris when he was a child himself
Harrowing: In the scene, Mick (Danny Dyer) told Frankie (Rose Ayling-Ellis): ‘I think you’ve been a little bit quick to judge. I made the first move on your mum ‘I did all the chasing so it’s not, it can’t be her fault.’
A third typed: ‘Deep down Mick knows Frankie is right, he just needs time to let it sink in #EastEnders.’
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.
Since Frankie arrived in Albert Square fans have theorised about her true identity, with the truth finally being revealed when she admitted to Mick 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.
Frankie said: A horrified Frankie responded: ‘The fact that you were telling daddy, did that not ring any alarm bells? Now that you’re an adult, now that you’re not 12?’
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.
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… !?’
Devastated: Fans took to Twitter to share their devastation at Mick blaming himself for his sexual abuse
A third added: ‘Haven’t seen the recent #EastEnders but Mick Carter is involved in a child sexual abuse plot??? B****y hell.’
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.
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’
‘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
Hard: EastEnders bosses have since confirmed that Mick will struggle to come to terms with his abuse after repressing the ordeal for years