EastEnders reveals harrowing child abuse secret – and it’s been happening for months

EASTENDERS has revealed a harrowing child abuse storyline that’s been happening for months without anyone noticing.

The BBC soap has shown troubled teenager Tommy Moon lashing out at mum Kat Slater for months now but tonight things took a darker twist.

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Earlier this week his violent actions put Freddie Slater in hospital with serious burns.

With the realisation that Tommy’s abuse was getting worse - and he could get even worse - Kat became defensive.

As the Slaters tried to get through to her that Tommy needed professional help, she demanded they all keep quiet.

“Underneath he’s just a hurt, scared little boy,” she said.

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“He needs patience, love and understanding.”

But things soon took a darker twist when Jean arrived to try and talk to Tommy and caught him hurting Ernie.

When Alfie and Jean looked, Ernie was covered in bruises and it was too much for Jean.

Ignoring Kat’s demands, Jean made a tough decision and called social services to report Tommy’s abuse - determined to protect his younger brothers as well as Kat from him.

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She told Harvey: “Their little bodies, covered in bruises, all shapes and colours. 

“They’re terrified and I don’t blame them, Tommy’s been threatening them with all sorts. 

“I really thought Tommy was going to thump Alfie earlier. Kat’s got her head buried so deep she’s taken root. 

“She’s scared. No-one wants to admit their own child is out of control. What if one of the boys ends up in hospital or even worse? 

“I am worried sick Harvey and I can’t sit by and just watch.”

Darkest soap storylines

Over the years the likes of EastEnders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street have all tried to try outdo each other with their outlandish plots in a bid to keep us tuning in each week. But here are some of the darkest that had fans in shock...

EastEnders: Tony grooming Whitney (2008-2009) - Tony King first appeared in Albert Square in 2008 as the boyfriend of Bianca, played by Patsy Palmer. But it was quickly revealed he was a paedophile who had been grooming vulnerable Whitney, Bianca’s adopted stepdaughter from a previous relationship, since she was 12. The shocking storyline attracted more than 200 complaints within a week of it beginning. Whitney waited until her 16th birthday to reveal the truth to a horrified Bianca, who called the police.

Emmerdale: Holly's drug addiction and shock death (2010-2016) - In 2010, Holly Barton (played by Sophie Powles) became Emmerdale's first teenage drug addict. The shocking storyline saw her taking cocaine on a night out before developing a deadly heroin habit. Parents John and Moira desperately tried to help get their daughter clean but when Holly returned in 2016, following a four-year absence, she quickly relapsed. Fans were left stunned and heartbroken when distraught Moira found Holly dead in her bed from a heroin overdose.

Hollyoaks: Luke's rape (2000) - Actor Gary Lucy was just 17 when he took on this groundbreaking storyline, which saw his character Luke Morgan become soap’s first male rape victim. Luke had endured a long-running bullying campaign by football rival Mark Gibbs - who raped him after Luke stood up to him. Luke was left suicidal following the brutal attack, before opening up to his brother Adam. Gibbs was sentenced to eight years in prison. Gary won the Best Actor gong at the British Soap Awards in 2000 for his performance.

Coronation Street: Evil Richard Hillman (2001-2003) - Just a mere mention of ‘Richard Hillman’ is enough to send a shiver down the spines of soap fans. He is often ranked one of the most evil soap villains and it’s not hard to see why. The smooth-talking financial adviser bashed his ex-wife Patricia over the head with a shovel. In a bid to keep his mother-in-law Audrey quiet, he set fire to her house. And when Maxine caught him trying to murder Emily Bishop, he took a crowbar to her head. He made his exit from the cobbles in 2003 when he drove Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth, and her family into the canal. They survived, but he didn’t.

And despite Harvey telling her she couldn’t do anything, Jean took action and called social services herself, reporting Tommy’s abuse.

But how will Kat cope with Tommy exposed and will she turn on Jean after she finds out what she’s done?