Episode 5496 (19 May 2017)

Summary[]

Denise is offered a helping hand. Mick is back in Albert Square and immediately has several problems to contend with. Kush goes on a date at the Albert, which Kim sets out to sabotage. Meanwhile, Max is forced to give Jack a reality check.

Mick demands to know why Woody's in his bed with Whitney and throws Woody's clothes out the window. Woody goads Mick and Mick punches him. Woody packs his bags and accuses Mick of being jealous. Mick's shocked when Woody reveals that he found Whitney shoplifting. Shirley covers when, as a parting shot, Woody mentions Fi. Mick tells the family that Nancy's planning a holiday to Thailand with Tamwar. When Mick asks how the hole in the roof and Lady Di were sorted, a guilty Shirley claims that she came into some money. Mick finds Lady Di in Whitney's room and discovers a box under her bed, full of brand new items. Mick tracks Whitney down in the park. Whitney tells him that she should never have married Lee. Damaged girls like her don't get a happy ever after. She explains why she shoplifted - in the shopping centre she could be anyone she wanted, didn't have to be that girl anymore. Mick assures her that she's not that girl. Vulnerable, Whitney begs him not to leave her and he insists that he isn't going anywhere.

Cora follows Denise. Denise claims thatshe was only at the food bank to ask if they wanted volunteers. Cora insists that she knows what it is like to hit rock bottom and how hard it is to admit you need help. Breaking down, Denise admits that everything's a mess - everyone's been judging her. Cora leads Denise back inside. Whilst her food bags are being sorted out, Denise asks why Cora ended up volunteering. Cora reveals that the food bank saved her life. She turned up drunk and shouting abuse but she walked out knowing there was food in the cupboard and someone to talk to for the first time in months. As Denise leaves, an upset Candice is desperately asking a volunteer for some food but she hasn't got a voucher. Denise gives her bags of food to Candice's kids. Realising what she's done, Cora tries to give Denise £10. Denise refuses it, insisting that she's got Kim and Patrick but Cora knows that she won't ask them for help. Denise notes that she isn't the only stubborn one, asking Cora when she last went to see Lauren and Abi. Cora's shocked when Denise mentions that Max is back and is a changed man. Cora vehemently insists that Max is rotten inside and out - she should never have helped him. Denise passes The Albert as Kush puts his date into a taxi. Feeling faint, Denise sits down on the War Memorial. At rock bottom, she retrieves a McKlunky's takeaway box that Keegan's dumped in the bin and eats his leftovers.

Dot, Martin and Jay bring the bureau to Honey and Billy's. Honey's horrified when Dot lights up a ciggie inside and then walks on her new carpet in shoes. Honey's feeling guilty about Jack - if he loses Matthew, she'll never forgive herself. Max has to pick the kids up from school after Jack loses track of time. Max warns Jack that if he doesn't pull himself together people will start saying Matthew would be better off with Charlie. Max later meets Charlie at a café and tells him that in a couple of days Jack will be putty in Charlie's hands. Charlie insists that he doesn't want any part of Max's twisted game. Outside, Cora watches as Max leaves.

Ian's abandoned his healthy eating regime - why die starving? Jane knows this isn't just about food but Ian refuses to discuss it. Later, Jane comes home to find Ian drinking red wine. She puts a large pile of chocolate bars on the table and starts tucking in. Ian begs her to stop, admitting that he's scared and doesn't want to die. He's touched when Jane insists that he won't - they're going to do this together.

Kim conveniently arrives to help Tracey at The Albert just as Kush's date, Sarah, arrives. Kim insists on seeing her ID and then mocks the photo. She pointy starts cutting up fruit beside Sarah and Kush, listening in to their conversation. She later snatches Sarah's drink away before it's finished. Kush struggles to make small talk with Sarah and eventually admits that he's not in the right headspace. Sarah leaves, suggesting that he deletes his profile, and Kim laughs.

Credits[]

Main cast[]

Recurring cast[]

Marie Evans - Liz Sweet (uncredited)
Tracey - Jane Slaughter (uncredited)
Shrimpy - Ben Champniss (uncredited)
Winston - Ulric Browne (uncredited)
Jo - unknown actress (uncredited)
Maggs - Margaret Heald (uncredited)

Guest cast[]

Candice - Maia Watkins
Sarah - Jade Matthew
Volunteer - Rob Maloney