EastEnders' Lee Carter makes life-changing confession in early iPlayer release

EastEnders spoilers follow for Thursday’s episode (12 November), which is available to watch now on streaming service BBC iPlayer and hasn’t yet aired on TV.

EastEnders’ Lee Carter makes an emotional confession to his mum Linda today, as his life suddenly changes forever. This week, the Carters reeled from the revelation that their dad Mick didn’t drown on Christmas Day 2022 and in fact died from a heart attack two weeks ago.

Viewers know that this is actually a scam concocted by Janine that Max is now privy to, but Lee, Nancy and Johnny all struggled with the news – and as pregnant Nancy was comforted by Zack after a heart-to-heart with Linda, her waters broke.

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Meanwhile, Linda and Max tried to get a drunk Lee under control outside Harry’s Barn, but when Lee told his mum that Mick’s death was ultimately her fault, Linda grabbed her son’s bottle of vodka and threatened to drink.

In today’s episode, Lee knocks the bottle out of Linda’s hands to stop her relapsing, and in response Linda turns the tables and asks her son why it’s okay for him to him to drink heavily.

Across the Square, Elaine and Zack help Nancy in The Vic while Johnny phones a taxi to get them to the hospital, though they are unable to get in touch with Linda and Lee.

Linda ignores her mum’s calls as she and Max find Lee drinking in The Albert. As Linda demands answers, Lee snaps at his mum for not visiting him of late and refuses to admit that he is an alcoholic.

What begins as an explosive confrontation turns into an emotional reconciliation, as Linda breaks down over Lee saying that her drinking ripped the family apart.

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Linda and Lee have a proper heart to heart in the café, and Lee opens up about his depression in recent years. While Linda admits that parents have a duty to be strong for their kids, she reminds Lee that he is about to become a dad himself.

Meanwhile at the hospital, Nancy is stressed about giving birth without Linda and Lee, so she asks Johnny to be by her side during the delivery.

Back at the B&B, Linda reflects on the day’s events and guilty Max decides to tell her the truth about Mick. But before he can get the words out, Lee interrupts to say that Nancy is in labour.

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As Max heads to The Vic to drown his sorrows, Linda and Lee head to the hospital. Lee emotionally meets his newborn son for the first time and tells everyone that he and Jess are naming the baby Michael after his dad.

However, things get too much for Lee and he heads out, with Linda finding him in the waiting room. When Linda gives her son some valuable advice, Lee breaks down and finally admits that he is an alcoholic.

With Lee facing up to his problem, will he be able to get the help he needs?

Alcohol Change UK offers information, advice and support with their questions about drinking and the problems that can sometimes be caused by alcohol. For more information, visit Alcohol Change UK's website.

Drinkline also offers free, confidential advice to anyone who is concerned about their own or someone else's drinking on 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am–8pm, weekends 11am–4pm).

Readers can also contact Drinkaware.

EastEnders airs on Mondays - Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.