EastEnders Spoilers Week 25 (16th - 22nd June 2012)

[Perdita]

EastEnders star Jo Joyner has admitted that she is still waiting to find out the exact details of Max Branning's secret.

Max was up to no good in Manchester last year after taking time away from Albert Square when Joyner's character Tanya rejected him.

Tomorrow's (June 22) episode of the Walford soap sees Max begin to open up to Tanya about the mysterious trip, confessing that he is not proud of his actions as somebody got hurt. However, the full story remains under wraps for the time being.

Joyner appeared on Daybreak this morning (June 21) and confirmed that Max was up to "mischief" during his absence.

She commented: "We don't know what mischief. But we do know that while he was in Manchester, he got up to something.

"Do you know what, I honestly genuinely don't even know [what it is] yet! I don't know if they know yet! But there will be something. And yes, it will come out in a couple of months."

Joyner went on to praise the other dramas in store in tomorrow night's episode, which centres around Michael and Janine's wedding.

She said: "The wedding looks fantastic. I mean, just having that marquee in the middle of the Square is unusual, isn't it? It looked brilliant - it was great. It was up for a few days and they were intensive days of filming because there was a lot of cast involved.

"It's great storylines. I mean, it's great to see Gillian [Wright] doing so much, because I just think she's fantastic. And Charlie [Brooks] is fantastic obviously - whoever she's in a relationship with, I always want to watch it. So it is all going to come to a head over the next couple of days, and it's great."

Joyner added that she is expecting busy times at work before she takes a break from EastEnders in 2013.

"I'm taking a bit of time off, not until next year though," she said. "And between now and next year, I've just been told actually - literally just been told - how busy we're going to be.

"There's going to be a lot going on for the whole of the Square, but the Brannings particularly. I can't say much more than that, isn't it annoying? There's a few things that I want to blurt out, but I can't!"

EastEnders airs an hour-long episode tomorrow from 7.30pm on BBC One.

[Perdita]

EastEnders star Gillian Wright has said that she is thrilled to see Jean Slater standing up for herself in her current storyline.

Jean has spent the past few weeks battling to prove that Michael Moon has conned her, but he has often stayed one step ahead thanks to his twisted attempts to discredit his new enemy.

Speaking on This Morning today (June 22), Wright explained that she was keen to show Jean's tough side while filming the emotional plot.

Wright commented: "Jean is a victim and the storyline is about a victim, I suppose. [But] I didn't want it to be played as a victim. So I'm looking for any opportunity for her to seize her own power.

"Sometimes that might be the smallest thing, like breaking into somebody's house and searching. That's a big thing - hiding under a table is a big thing!"

Asked how she prepared for her intense scenes with co-star Steve John Shepherd, the actress replied: "We work so fast, and we shoot not in story order, so we're really basically just on the floor and we're dealing with where the director wants us, what the scene's going to be about and then we just shoot. There isn't really that much time to discuss or play."

She added: "When you have a wonderful storyline like this, they don't come along all the time - [so] you have to get yourself in a place where the tears are ready to be produced or the anger is ready to be produced."

EastEnders fans see the story reach a climax this evening as Michael and Janine's dramatic wedding day arrives.

[Perdita]

The BBC has today (June 27) defended Jean Slater and Michael Moon's recent EastEnders storyline following complaints from viewers.

More than 100 people have contacted the corporation to raise concerns over the plot, which saw Michael (Steve John Shepherd) con Jean out of a substantial sum of money before launching an elaborate plan to discredit her.

Jean, who suffers from bipolar disorder, was doubted by a number of Albert Square's residents as the story played out. However, Michael finally confessed his guilt in last Friday's (June 22) episode.

It is thought that some viewers were unhappy over the cruel treatment Jean received in the storyline. A statement released on the BBC's website has confirmed that others felt "the depiction of bipolar, as portrayed through Jean Slater, is unrealistic".

In response, the corporation said: "It is important to note that Jean Slater is not intended to be representative of everybody with bipolar disorder. We treat all of our characters as individuals, with their own sets of behaviours and opinions, and there's no suggestion that all of Jean's characteristics are linked to her condition.

"We work closely with a number of experts in the mental health field to ensure that we are as accurate as possible when it comes to Jean's bipolar, her medication, the impact it has on her and those around her, and attitudes and prejudices towards her."

The statement added: "Michael is a well-established villain, intent on destroying others for his own twisted motives, and the current storyline is completely in keeping with his character.

"The audience were aware from the start that it was Jean who was telling the truth even when other characters doubted her. In Friday's episode Alfie, Kat and Janine learned the truth, and Jean was completely exonerated."

In a separate statement, a BBC spokesperson confirmed the total number of complaints.

The representative told The Daily Telegraph: "We have received a total of 107 complaints from over 16 episodes. As every EastEnders viewer will know, this storyline has been running for over a month, with the climax reaching over eight million viewers.

"The storyline was never about Jean's bipolar disorder but about how Michael has manipulated her."

Actress Gillian Wright has played the role of Jean on and off since 2004. Her portrayal of Jean's bipolar disorder has previously received acclaim from the mental health charity Mind.

[alan45]

EastEnders teenagers Jay Mitchell and Lola Pearce continue to grow closer next week, leading to a kiss between the pair.

Lola is eager to have some fun in an upcoming episode, so she convinces Jay (Jamie Borthwick) to join her on a hunt for some free food and drinks - as neither of them have a penny in their pockets.

The duo have some success at the café as pregnant Lola scores free drinks by pretending to go into labour. Their next stop is then McClunky's, where they hope to get a free bite to eat.

As the pair spend time together at the fast food restaurant, Lola lets Jay feel her baby kick. Overwhelmed by emotion, they end up kissing - but is this the start of a relationship, or a foolish mistake?


© BBC

EastEnders airs these scenes on Monday, July 16 at 8pm on BBC One.

[alan45]

EastEnders teenagers Jay Mitchell and Lola Pearce continue to grow closer next week, leading to a kiss between the pair.

Lola is eager to have some fun in an upcoming episode, so she convinces Jay (Jamie Borthwick) to join her on a hunt for some free food and drinks - as neither of them have a penny in their pockets.

The duo have some success at the café as pregnant Lola scores free drinks by pretending to go into labour. Their next stop is then McClunky's, where they hope to get a free bite to eat.

As the pair spend time together at the fast food restaurant, Lola lets Jay feel her baby kick. Overwhelmed by emotion, they end up kissing - but is this the start of a relationship, or a foolish mistake?


© BBC

EastEnders airs these scenes on Monday, July 16 at 8pm on BBC One.

[JustJodi]

Jay needs to go on vacation and get a bit of sun,, hes pale without being sparkly LOL( seems like Ben has been tango'ed) isn't Lola due to have that baby ??? Lola is really really bad for Jay, she is gonna drag him down ....

[chartley101]

Mods, could we please unsticky the threads relating to past episodes please, got half a page of historic stickies now, and it rather defeats the point?
Thanks!!

[Siobhan]

Mods, could we please unsticky the threads relating to past episodes please, got half a page of historic stickies now, and it rather defeats the point?
Thanks!!

Apologies.. on to it now... keep forgetting to unstick..