Don Gilet defends 'EastEnders' storyline

EastEnders star Don Gilet has insisted that his character Lucas Johnson's current storyline is "not about religion".

The actor spoke out in response to suggestions that the killer preacher's long-running plotline is offensive to Christians as fans have seen him using the Bible to justify his actions.

Since last year, Lucas has left his ex-partner Trina to die following an accident, killed the ex-husband of his current wife Denise, and - most recently - held Denise captive after attacking her in a rage.

However, in an interview with BBC Newsbeat, Gilet commented: "It's not promoting or demoting Christianity, this guy is just not very well."

He continued: "I know there are a few people who are upset by it, but if you actually watch the show and invest in the story it's not about religion. It's about one man's warped view of life and he could have chosen any view to soak his madness into, quite frankly."

Earlier this month, the BBC responded to viewer complaints about Lucas by insisting that the character "is certainly not intended to be representative of Christians".