Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty)

[Perdita]

EastEnders bosses have officially confirmed that the soap is working alongside Comic Relief for a new storyline which tackles the issue of sexual exploitation.

Show regular Whitney Dean - played by Shona McGarty - will be at the centre of the plot, which begins within the next few weeks when her life starts to take a downward spiral.

With her stepmother Bianca Butcher (Patsy Palmer) away from the Square, Whitney begins to suffer and - feeling alone and vulnerable - she falls for the charms of an unscrupulous man who ends up exploiting her for his own financial gain.

The EastEnders team have worked closely with Comic Relief while devising the storyline. As part of the tie-in with the charity, the plot will culminate in a special ten-minute episode which is to air as part of Comic Relief's televised telethon on Friday, March 18.

Speaking of the story, a show spokesperson told DS: "EastEnders has been working alongside Comic Relief since last year, devising a storyline that raises awareness of sex exploitation. In the long tradition the show has of tackling social issues, this is a storyline that looks to be exploring a growing problem that faces many young women in the UK."

Gilly Green, Head of UK Grants at Comic Relief, added: "Comic Relief has been working on the issue of sexual exploitation for the last ten years, both in terms of funding projects that help those who have been subjected to this devastating experience and raising awareness of the issue.

"It is vital that we continue to alert young people to the dangers if we are to stop them being exploited and the opportunity to work with EastEnders will make a huge audience aware of this issue. We have been working with the EastEnders script writers and some of the young women from projects we support to ensure the story reflects the reality of young people caught up in sexual exploitation."

Kevin Cahill, Chief Executive of Comic Relief, said: "We have worked over many years with EastEnders in all kinds of ways. It's been a real pleasure this year to work together on a piece of serious drama, in the best traditions of public service, which will highlight an important issue and also, because it occurs on the night of Comic Relief, actually help raise crucial funds to help young women caught up in it."


DS

[lizann]

Maybe she goes off the rails when Bianca disappears. It's not surprising given her traumatic past.

More like goes off the rails when she discovers that her step nana and herself are doing the same fella

[Brucie]

So let's recap: Pat was a prostitute in the dim and distant past, Janine was a prostitute in the recent past, Glenda is currently a prostitute (albeit with just one paying customer) and now Whitney is to join the trade! I know there aren't enough jobs in Albert Square to support everyone who lives there, but this is getting ridiculous. Have the producers got a low opinion of women in general or just East End women?

[Siobhan]

I don't think a prostitute as such more sex traffiking or exploitation

[parkerman]

So let's recap: Pat was a prostitute in the dim and distant past, Janine was a prostitute in the recent past, Glenda is currently a prostitute (albeit with just one paying customer) and now Whitney is to join the trade! I know there aren't enough jobs in Albert Square to support everyone who lives there, but this is getting ridiculous. Have the producers got a low opinion of women in general or just East End women?

Don't forget Mary Smith.

[Siobhan]

Don't forget Mary Smith.

forgot her, but as I said, I don't think it is voluntary prostitute. I think this is a gang catching her up in this

[parkerman]

Yes, I think you are right, Shiv

[inkyskin]

wonder if there'll be any ex prostitutes who will throw their toys out of the pram about this story line, complain to ofcom about how it reminds them of some tragic time in their past.

[Perdita]

EVIL Janine Butcher will turn pimp when she sells teenage prostitute Whitney Dean for £50.

It’s the soap plotline that has caused a stir before it has even hit our screens.

Former hooker Janine (Charlie Brooks, 29) introduces Whitney to a life of vice but the youngster doesn’t even realise the first time that she has been pimped out.

Whitney (Shona McGarty, 18) turns to Janine after falling out with her family. They hit the local nightclub where they meet a couple of fellas who later admit to Janine they think the girls are hookers.

When Whitney gets more attention than Janine, the twisted blonde carries on with the con and tells David (Daniel Coonan, 36) it will cost him £50 to spend the night with her pal.

Whitney goes home with the lad, little realising she’s been sold.

A show insider said: “Jan*ine really has sunk to an all-time low.

“There is a moment where she knows what she’s doing is wrong but she still goes ahead and does it anyway.

“Whitney is upset when the bloke leaves pretty sharpish. She’s horrified when she later discovers he thought she was a hooker.

“From here it’s a slippery slope. Life is going to get pretty rough for Whitney.”

EastEnders bosses have teamed up with Comic Relief for the storyline to highlight the growing issue of young girls getting caught up in prostitution.

Daily Star

[tammyy2j]

There is a separate thread for Whitney and her hooking storyline