EastEnders praised by domestic violence charity for not ‘shying away’ from Lee and Whitney Carter’s ‘uncomfortable’ abuse storyline
While some viewers were outraged by the scene in which Lee hit Whitney, Women’s Aid highlights that on average two women are killed by a partner or ex each week
A LEADING domestic violence charity has praised EastEnders for its “uncomfortable” abuse storyline involving newlyweds Lee and Whitney Carter.
In scenes aired on Friday night Lee hit Whitney across the face following an argument, and led many fans of the soap to demand that the character to be removed.
However charity Women’s Aid has praised EastEnders for the scenes and explained why it’s so vital that they are part of primetime television.
Polly Neate, Chief Executive of Women’s Aid, told The Sun Online: “Domestic violence is extremely common and, with two women a week being killed by a partner or ex-partner on average in England and Wales, it’s important that we do not shy away from this – even if it makes us uncomfortable.
“Real-life Whitneys are out there; we cannot switch off from that.”
Polly also adds how Women’s Aid can help those in similar situations to Whitney’s.
“If you’re in an abusive relationship and need support, Women’s Aid will help you. Find information on our or call the National Domestic Violence Helpline (which we run with Refuge) on 0808 2000 247”
Lee played by Danny-Boy Hatchard is due to leave the show this month, but stunned viewers called for him to be axed early following Friday’s scenes.
Fans flocked to Twitter to express their horror over the domestic violence in Friday's show, as Lee slapped Whitney across the face during a heated argument.
Many demanded producers should remove Lee from the soap with immediate effect, declaring: “Get rid of him”.
One wrote: “Im done. Lee just leave. #Eastenders.”
Another added: “Omfg. How can you put violent hands on your wife?! Nope. Finito. It’s finished. Bye. Done. Have a nice life. #eastenders.”
A third stated: “Lee actually makes me feel sick” and another wrote: “I wish #eastenders would get rid of Lee.”
Another tweeted: “Can we just get rid of Lee in #eastenders ? The most awful character along with Babe.”
One added: “Get rid of him. Worst character EVER.”
The depressed former soldier - played by Danny-Boy Hatchard - lashed out and hit Whitney, leaving her utterly terrified of him, after the pair rowed over money again.
After enjoying a night out with Lee's friend, Lee got it into his head that Whitney was trying to get rid of him because she tried to help get him another job.
"If you call an evening being humiliated by your wife and your mate fun then yeah, I had the time of my life," Lee raged at Whitney as they left the pub.
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Heading back to their flat the couple rowed over the evening with Lee not realising that Whitney was just trying to help him.
"I really don't get what the big deal is Lee," Whitney said as he attacked her for flirting with his friend, and he accused her of lying about something.
Confessing she pawned her rings instead of losing them so they could afford a night out, hypocritical Lee was fuming that she had lied to him.
"Why would you do this to me? I'm a grown man, Whit," Lee shouted at her but she hit back and told him a boatload of home truths.
"Start acting like it then," she told him. "Because seriously I can't do this anymore. I can't, I put up with more than most women so can you imagine your mum doing what I've done tonight?"
"No, you can't, can you? Because your dad is a fighter and you know that, you know that when he gets knocked down he picks himself straight back up again.
"Do you know what I wouldn't give, what I wouldn't give for you to be a little bit more like him but you won't and you never will be because you mope around feeling sorry for yourself don't you? And you leave it all down to me, down to me to pick up the pieces.
"And yeah, your dad did speak to me tonight, he did say something, he said that you don't deserve me. And do you know what, I'm beginning to think that he's right."
And with that Lee turned around and smacked Whitney in the face, rendering her terrified and sobbing.
Feeling horrified about what he'd done, Lee wouldn't leave Whitney alone as she lay terrified in the bedroom.
"Whit, please forgive me, please forgive me, I didn't mean to," he said to her. "Whit please talk to me, please say something, please. Whit please."
Actor Danny-Boy Hatchard will soon be leaving the soap but it has yet to be revealed how or when.
- EastEnders airs Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday nights on BBC One