Lee Carter broke wife Whitney’s heart in EastEnders last night when he left her on Valentine’s Day. But was this really his exit story or is there more to come?
The newlyweds have been struggling to make their marriage work ever since they said ‘I do’, and we’ve known for a while Lee’s exit from the show was imminent.
Last night, they headed to Beales for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner to try and start things afresh.
The attempt to put things right comes after depressed Lee snapped last week and slapped his wife.
Appalled viewers immediately called out for the show to get rid of him. One wrote on Twitter: “OMG cant believe Lee seriously just hit Whitney #Eastenders.” (sic)
Another added: “Lee Carter. Crossed the line there. #Eastenders.”
Read more: Fans horrified as Lee hits Whitney
Another objected: “Never Lay or Put your hands on Wife Lee! #EastEnders,” (sic)
But after confiding in his dad about his mistake, Lee vowed to put things right, and to prove it to Whit he was trying, he bought her wedding rings back after she pawned them.
His efforts didn’t impress Mick though, who told him:
“If you really love her, you’ll do the best thing you can for her – you’ll walk away.”
But after a trip to the allotments and a heart to heart with Patrick, Lee decided he wasn’t going anywhere and arrived to have dinner with his wife.
During the meal, Whitney gave a little speech about how much she loved him and how they’d get through anything together. She even told him she’d stay right by his side, no matter what he did.
However, it was when she said she’d always do what was best for him and she knew he’d always do what was best for her, that Lee made an excuse to leave.
Read more: EastEnders star named nation’s weirdest crush for the third year
Telling her he just had to go and pick something up from home, Lee kissed her hand and headed off. Whitney waited patiently, but eventually followed him when he’d been gone for a long time.
Thanks to Martin Fowler, Whitney thought her hubby was waiting for her at home to seduce her, but when she got back to find the flat empty and all of Lee’s possessions gone, panic set in.
And then she saw the note. “I’m sorry, I just don’t love you anymore”
So it looks like Lee’s left a devastated Whitney. We know it’s all a lie and Lee does in fact adore his wife, but just like his dad advised he’s left her for her own good.
But is this really his exit?
After months of a heartbreaking depression storyline, it seems a bit flat, doesn’t it?
Has he really just gone away to sort himself out? And where will he go?
Some fans have expressed concern the note was in fact a suicide note after Lee contemplated taking his own life at Christmas. Surely not though?
This just doesn’t feel like the end for Lee Carter. Is there another shock to come?