EASTENDERS

VERY UNMERRY CHRISTMAS

Can everyone be cheered up when the Carters decide to throw one last party in the Vic on New Year’s Eve? Let’s hope so, it’s a pretty depressing Christmas all round. Linda is stressed about the imminent loss of her livelihood (as if being married to Mick wasn’t enough to drive her to Valium), but will it just remind her of what the future doesn’t hold? Desperate to appease his wife, Mick, giving out presents at the Vic (pictured), has a big decision to make. Does he ask to be part of Aidan’s big job again to solve his problems? Whatever he decides, they’ll need a nutcracker to wrestle any expression out of him.

Karen’s having a rough time when bailiffs take the presents she bought for the kids (pity they don’t take the brats. Is there a Santa to take things away?). It’s the same old Walford financial misery. Moan, moan, salt o’ the Erff locals help. Karen reaches out to her sister Kandice (S Club 7’s Hannah Spearritt) for money. Let’s hope she put away some from her singing days, if only enough to get Karen decent clothes. How many decades did the wardrobe people go back to dig up her gear?

As for Kaffy, has she ever had a decent Christmas? When Willmott-Brown pays her a visit and tries to manipulate her, will she find an unlikely ally in Fi? Here’s an idea, Kaffy – call the cops and report him for harassment. For a woman who had such a traumatic experience with him years ago, you aren’t half spending a lot of time alone with him.