Eastenders spoilers: Chantelle terrified as abusive husband Gray discovers she lied about returning to work

CHANTELLE Atkins will be terrified of her violent husband, Gray, in EastEnders next week when the abuser discovers she’s lied to him about going back to work.

Pregnant Chantelle – who’s played by Jessica Plummer in the BBC soap – is delighted when Denise Fox calls her and asks if she can possibly cover at the salon.

And Chantelle revels being back at work, clearly having missed it. But her happiness is set to be short-lived as Gray – who helps chase a girl who stole from Whitney Dean’s stall – spots her working in the salon.

As she arrives at The Vic later, Chantelle’s stunned to see everyone there. And when Gray announces their news, it’s clear he’s furious at her for lying to him.

What will he do when they’re alone behind closed doors?

EastEnders fans have been horrified since Gray (Toby Alexander Smith) was revealed as a violent abuser over the summer.

But soap boss, Kate Oates, has revealed that it’s still possible for the character to be redeemed.

Speaking exclusively to The Sun Online, Kate said: “I know there’s been a little bit of conversation about the fact that EastEnders always make their be-suited educated characters villains and it’s so crucial to his character because he works in the law fighting for the little guy.

“That confuses Chantelle because he’s got a social conscience so he’s the opposite of her father who was completely flaky and couldn’t hold down a job as a guy who really does hold down a job.

“Plus the fact that he’s part of this aspirational lifestyle. Gray has got a lot of redeeming qualities.”

Kate added: “Abuse is so often about power. And he enjoys the power that he has over her.

“And characters can change and they can be redeemed, but I believe in those kind of dynamics that ultimately the victim, in this case, Chantelle, their first job is to look after themselves and if Gray could be redeemed later than that’s up to him.

“If Chantelle was my friend I’d want her out of there and I’d want her to take the kids with her.”

She added: “Chantelle’s problem at the moment is that she’s telling nobody.

“Nobody has a single hint that Gray is like this. So I think in a way, not letting anybody in, anybody at all, she’s actually building higher walls around herself but that’s going to be part of the problem.”

Gray has shown remorse for his actions and has even told Chantelle he’s seeing a counsellor to get his violent temper under control.

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