EastEnders spoilers follow for Tuesday’s episode (August 6) that is available to watch now

on streaming service BBC iPlayer and hasn’t yet aired on TV.

Note: The following article contains discussion of rape.

EastEnders’ Linda Carter has made a big decision about her future in the show’s latest episode.

This week, Linda was approached by Fraser, an associate of Dean’s, who offered her a deal on his behalf: retract the witness statement she made, and he will confess that he raped her.

Johnny was adamant that his mum should remain strong, reminding her that Dean might not stick to his end of the deal, but Linda was unsure as to what to do.

In today’s episode, which airs on BBC Two tonight, Linda was hungover after another heavy night of drinking, and Elaine asked her again about going to the police.

Elaine then reminded Linda that Annie had a dentist appointment this morning, something she had forgotten about amid her current turmoil.

While Elaine offered to take her, Linda was defensive, stressing that she is Annie’s mum and could be responsible.

At the dentist, Linda was told that Annie would need four teeth removed and was urged to get her dental care back on track. The dentist remarked that she had smelt alcohol on Linda and was concerned about her welfare.

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Linda told Elaine and Johnny what had happened and recognised that she had taken her eye off the ball with her kids, with her mum suggesting that this was a wake-up call for her.

She arranged to meet up with Jack and she asked him how important her evidence was to the case against Dean – clearly assessing the implications of taking the deal.

Linda said she was dreading facing Dean in court and Jack reassured her that although an eyewitness account could sway the jury, there was more evidence, and the case doesn’t rest solely on her.

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She then summoned Johnny and told her son that she needs to sort herself out and will stop drinking, but she can only do this if she moves on from Dean completely – and takes his deal.

Johnny warned Linda that she risks being charged with perverting the course of justice and even murder, as the whole case could be reopened if she retracts her statement.

“I am willing to take that risk,” she replied. “I have made up my mind, and nothing’s going to change it.”

With Linda making this huge decision, what will this mean for Dean’s trial and The Six?