EastEnders<\/a> aired a grim cliffhanger for Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), as her rapist Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo) burst into The Queen Vic and declared his love for her step-sister-to-be, Gina Knight (Francesca Henry)!<\/p>\n After Linda was heard on tape claiming that Dean had not raped her, Gina came to believe that Dean had been innocent all along.<\/p>\n The rest of her family know that Linda had been manipulated into saying so<\/a> to get George Knight (Colin Salmon) off an assault charge, but Gina made it clear to Dean that she was on his side.<\/p>\n After weeks of texts and secret smiles, Gina was seen with Dean in the alley beside the pub, with her friend Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) stunned to witness the pair kiss.<\/p>\n Jay later warned Gina about Dean, but she said that while she dreaded the reaction to her choice of boyfriend, she knew what she was doing.<\/p>\n Gina\u2019s oblivious loved ones had their own distractions, with her sister Anna (Molly Rainford) spending the night with new boyfriend Bobby Beale (Clay Milner Russell) and defending his honour to mum Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins).<\/p>\n Linda had spotted Dean jogging near the school while she dropped off her young son Ollie, and George offered to have a word and get Dean to change his route.<\/p>\n But Linda declined, deciding not to let her attacker get to her any more than he had already.<\/p> \u00a0<\/p>\n Gina let Dean in through the back of the pub cellar, and they shared another moment. But while Dean was keen to make their romance public, Gina urged him to respect her wishes to keep things quiet.<\/p>\n At Beale\u2019s Eels, Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) quizzed Dean on why he looked so glum. When Dean explained that he had a girlfriend who wasn\u2019t willing to go public with him, Ian \u2013 unaware the woman in question was Cindy\u2019s daughter \u2013 advised him to show he took the relationship seriously.<\/p>\n Armed with a bouquet of flowers, Dean marched into The Vic, where he loudly proclaimed that he loved Gina and no one could stop them being together.<\/p>\n Linda looked shaken, but how will she and the Knights deal with Dean\u2019s outburst?<\/p>\n Anyone affected by Linda\u2019s story can find support by visiting\u00a0Rape Crisis<\/a>, or calling their 24\/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line on 0808 500 2222.<\/em><\/p>\n Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Matt](\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2024\/01\/EastEnders-Gina-Dean-28228f0.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413\" "\\"EastEnders")
\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>![\"Kellie](\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2024\/01\/EastEnders-Linda-22nd-January-e643458.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413\" "\\"EastEnders")
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