EastEnders star Harriet Thorpe on 'massive problem' with Linda's future amid Christmas death

Love is in the air on Albert Square, as Elaine Peacock and George Knight are all set to get hitched. Yet with George's notorious ex, Cindy stirring trouble, the road to their "I dos" might hit a bump! Amidst this whirlwind, pub boss Elaine can't wait to don her wedding gown - it's a stark change for actress Harriet Thorpe who usually plays more outlandish roles. "I normally play psychotic women, so the bride isn’t my first go-to. I’ve never been an ingenue," she shared excitedly. "I’ve always been a character actor, so being a bride – and Elaine, with her controlling everything – has been such a joy."

Elaine is excited at the prospect of tying the knot and becoming Mrs Knight, yet there's a niggling doubt that prevents her from fully trusting George (portrayed by Colin Salmon) after his emotional lapse with Cindy following his mother's death earlier in April. She shared: "Elaine is thrilled because, with George and Elaine in their sixties, they both know what they want in life, and for them to get to this point is a culmination of such a roller-coaster ride. But there’s something lurking in the background, which is revealed later on – a reason why there’s always uncertainty. And the fact that George has already kissed Cindy is a taper that’s been lit, and it’s very hard not to burn."

But Elaine's challenges don't stop with George. She's also deeply concerned about her daughter Linda's (played by Kellie Bright) battle with addiction, especially since Bernie Taylor's return to Walford spells potential trouble due to her vendetta over Keanu's murder. Speaking on that, she said: "I think Linda’s alcoholism is a massive problem. Now Elaine is aware of the extraordinary, horrific reality of what her daughter is also suffering with the Keanu revelation – but ultimately you keep loving your child and that tears you apart," elaborating on the strain it puts on a family. "You want to support them but when you’re plate-spinning these difficult family situations, there’s a limit."

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As for the Christmas festivities in EastEnders and whether The Queen Vic is safe with Elaine around, all she gave away was a teasing: "Let’s hope so," before chuckling, "You’ll have to watch on Christmas Day, darling." In a twist of events just before her big day, Elaine decides to test George's loyalty. Harriet spilled the beans on the audacious plot: "It’s a great bargaining tool and it gives her control for the first time, to find out whether this matters or not," adding, "They are enemies, obviously, and I’m never sure when Cindy says yes to anything that it’s from the heart. But as women, sometimes you have to trust them for that moment."

Elaine (portrayed by Harriet) and Cindy's (played by Michelle Collins) encounter leads to a near kiss with George, shaking the roots of their future together. The revelation that Elaine orchestrated the honeytrap deals a blow to their relationship, as Harriet revealed, "Elaine was the one who was always trustworthy and I think the horror of realising she doesn’t know whether he’s trustworthy, and that’s why she’s done this, is a devastating feeling."

As George's history with model-like Cindy rears its head again, questions mount over his commitment to Elaine. "It’s an interesting question – Cindy is the antithesis of Elaine," mused Harriet. "She’s gorgeous like a model and Elaine is more panto. It’s always the threat of somebody else and, as a view, you see the choice George has. He has a beautiful woman who lives over the road and yet he’s with Elaine in the pub having a laugh. It’s what matters, and what’s going to last. When you reach maturity, you begin to know what you don’t want in life – and you want somebody who is going to be there for you."

Soap star Harriet insisted that she’s not planning an EastEnders exit anytime soon. Sharing her views, she commented, "EastEnders is an amazing gift and people endlessly dismiss soap, but it’s soap opera – and opera is what we do all the time, singing out these amazing characters who are multilayered and multifaceted," adding, "Working towards this wedding, with all the pitfalls and potholes, is absolutely a gift. It’s been an honour and a joy to play."

Catch the drama unfold in EastEnders' episodes Monday to Thursday at 7:30 pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.