Soaps

'Enders star praises shock Billie plot

Published Monday, Oct 4 2010, 15:45 BST | By Daniel Kilkelly

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EastEnders actress Shona McGarty has promised that Billie Jackson's forthcoming death storyline will be handled "marvellously" on screen.

As exclusively revealed by DS last month, a new plot will see Billie end up dead after he has a drinking binge at his birthday party.

The tragedy leaves many of Albert Square's residents shocked and heartbroken - including McGarty's character Whitney Dean, who was recently dumped by Billie.

Speaking to the Daily Star Sunday, McGarty explained: "It's horrible what happens to Billie. Whitney still loves him dearly with all her heart. But what happens to him is very common among young people, especially binge drinking.

"I think it's a really important subject that EastEnders has done marvellously, like it always does, and I feel so privileged to be involved in it and to show people how dangerous it is."

She added: "Whitney will blame herself. She blames herself for everything and viewers can expect lots of tears as she tries to come to terms with it all. It's a terrible turmoil for Whitney again."

Billie's portrayer Devon Anderson reprised the role earlier this year, having originally played the character between 1993 and 1997.