Johnny Carter

Jonathan "Johnny" Carter made his first appearance 26 December 2013. He was initially played by Sam Strike. Strike announced in late 2014 he was leaving the role and Strike's final scenes aired on December 25th. After a 14 month absence, it was announced Johnny would make a return to Albert Square, now played by Ted Reilly.

About Johnny
Johnny is a good kid on the brink of becoming the man he wants to be… As the baby of the family, Johnny has been spoilt rotten by his mum. But whereas most kids would let it go to their head, Johnny has actually turned out to be quite a well-adjusted, kind hearted kid who loves his family... warts and all. As the first Carter to attend university, Johnny has made his family proud. So while he enjoys the freedom of uni life, he knows he has to work hard for his Law degree.
 * Johnny gets called Sausage from his Mum.
 * Johnny is the first Carter to go to University.
 * On 15 September 2017, Johnny's real name is unexpectedly revealed as "Jonathan"
 * Johnny gets called by his Nickname more often.

Backstory
Johnny was born premature. When Johnny, Lee and Nancy were kids and they fought Mick and Linda use to take them swimming to calm the down. As a kid Jonny loved watching the TV Series "Ally McBeal", Linda use to let him stay up late every Thursday night to watch it.

2013-2014
Linda finds it extremely difficult to come to terms with Johnny's sexuality, which leads to numerous arguments with Mick and Shirley. Johnny eventually reveals his sexuality to Whitney, who is hurt as she feels that Johnny has been using her. She soon forgives Johnny and even offers for him to move in with her and her family if his relationship with Linda does not improve. Johnny later threatens to leave The Vic, so Mick forces Linda to sort things out. Linda seems to have finally come round to the idea of Johnny being gay, but she later breaks down over the situation. Johnny realises that Linda is not fully accepting of his sexuality when she invites Whitney (who she thinks is pregnant) over and tries to set them up, Johnny feels hurt and betrayed and a huge argument ensues. Mick then tells Linda to fully accept his sexuality or risk losing him forever. Whitney tells Johnny that he needs to get a boyfriend so that everyone can accept it and move on with their lives, As a result of this Nancy and Whitney sign Johnny up for internet dating.

The New Year saw Nancy, Johnny's sister, return to the family. Clearly delighted by this, little did Johnny know that his secret of being gay was about to be revealed. During a heated argument with Linda, Nancy let the cat out the bag and revealed that her brother was gay. Quick to retract what she'd said, suspicions arose, leading to Johnny and Mick having a heart to heart. Telling him that he would love him no matter if he was gay or not Johnny broke down in tears revealing the truth about his sexuality. Little did Johnny know that his mother had overheard the entire conversation... Would she be able to accept her son's sexuality?

And if the situation was not already uncomfortable enough, Tina and Auntie Shirl made it their priority to rock the boat with Linda all the more. And what better way than to persuade Johnny to attend the launch of a new local gay bar? Uncomfortable, but agreeing to go, Johnny was shot down by Linda... He had to work that night. Poor Johnny!

Linda continued to argue and deny that Johnny is gay. Finally admitting to Whitney that he is gay, the two launched a plan to make Linda see sense, and make up with Johnny.

With the plan cued, Johnny returned home to break the news that he was moving out, which soon prompted Linda to admit her true feelings and finally make up with him. With peace restored, the next logical step for Johnny was to find a boyfriend. With Nancy launching his online dating campaign Johnny began talking to the ‘Walford Wonder’. However, he was soon shocked when he discovered the Wonder’s true identity.

Johnny later starts university, studying to become a lawyer but failed two of exams and this Linda went to see his tutor behind his back to try and get his marked changed. Johnny was furious about this and embarrassed her by telling her to sing on the karaoke, when he knew she had a bad voice. He later has a massive row with Linda and then decides to leaves walford. Linda then convinces Johnny to come home but on their way they stop off at London's Gay Pride event were Johnny meets Gianluca Cavallo.

Gianluca and Johnny fall in love and soon head to the Queen Vic and have sex - when Johnny loses his virginity. When Gianluca announces he is going back to Italy, Johnny considers moving with him, however, decides to stay in London, with his family.

Months later, in December, Gianluca arrives back in London and, although he doesn't appear on-screen, Gianluca asks Johnny to go traveling with him. Johnny agrees and contacts his university and is given permission to go on a gap year. Johnny leaves Walford on December 23rd 2014.

Two days later, on Christmas Day, Johnny makes a video call via Skype to Linda to wish her a happy Christmas - this was Strike's final appearance in EastEnders.

In early 2015, when Lee and Nancy and Amelia discover that Linda was raped, the family decide against telling Johnny about Dean's wrongdoing, as they wouldn't want to upset him on his travels.

Johnny is mentioned again in May, following Linda giving birth to Ollie Carter. Linda mentions that Johnny was over the moon with the birth of his little brother and couldn't stop screaming.

Johnny is mentioned on the day of Linda and Mick's wedding (1 January 2016), Linda says Johnny can't make it because he is ill. In an episode dated 18 January 2016 its mentioned that Mick and Linda are visiting Johnny and Gianluca in Italy, they are staying there another week and going skiing.

In an episode dated 28 January 2016 Part 1 Linda said it was lovely to see Johnny and that he's settled in so well, speaking Italian. On 7 March 2016 Linda mentions Johnny sent her a card for mother's day. in Episode dated 15 September 2017, Johnny's real name was unexpectedly revealed as "Jonathan"

Italy
In an episode dated 15 April 2016 Johnny stated Whilst in Italy Johnny woke up in hospital one night in Venice. Johnny and his friends got drunk and stole a gondola and took it out on the Grand Canal. Johnny stood up and sung "Just one Cornetto". He then smashed his face on a bridge and got knocked out.

Whilst in Italy Johnny took an Internship at a British NGO in Rome.

In an episode dated 12 April 2016 Johnny stated that he loved Gianluca Cavallo so much, moving out to Italy he barely knew Gianluca. But everything was so exciting, so new. When Mick and Linda visited Johnny in Italy, Johnny and Gianluca hid that they were having relationship problems. In the end Gianluca and Johnny wanted different things. Gianluca moved out back to his ex partner. Gianluca mum wanted Johnny to stay with her but Johnny decided to go home after he had a called from Mick to surprise Linda.

2016-
Johnny returned from Italy 11 April 2016 (he is now played by Ted Reilly) and Linda is happy to see him. He confesses he has broken up with his boyfriend Gianluca. The family later decide to tell him about the rape.