Fans of EastEnders have been left sickened after Gray Atkins broke wife Chantelle’s arm in the latest of his acts of domestic abuse.
The couple returned from their honeymoon, seemingly loved up.
But as Gray pressured his wife to take a pregnancy test, it was clear she was uncomfortable with the thought she might actually be carrying her abuser’s child.
Read more: EastEnders SPOILERS: Sonia does the unthinkable for Martin
After insisting it was too early to take a test, Chantelle headed off to catch up with family and friends – and the relief that she was back surrounded by people who cared about her was clear to see on her face.
She even bumped into old school friend Jags in the shop and found out he’d moved to the area.
CHANTELLE WHAT ARE YOU APOLOGISING TO HIM FOR?
As she helped Jags home with his shopping (what did he need with all that toilet paper?!), Gray watched on, seething with jealousy.
Once home, Chantelle was presented with a pregnancy test and Gray insisted she took it.
While they were waiting for the results, Gray quizzed her over Jags, and it was clear he was struggling to control his anger.
Things got really out of hand when the test came back negative and Chantelle said they could just try again next month.
Not happy with her reaction, Gray lashed out, grabbed her arm, and as she tried to pull away he twisted it, causing it to break.
Despite Gray insisting it just needed icing, Chantelle knew it was broken and she’d have to go to hospital.
As Gray reluctantly agreed to take her, Karen turned up, but fans hoping Chantelle would confess what really happened were left disappointed as she lied she’d tripped on the stairs.
Then as Gray and Chantelle got in the car to leave, Chantelle began blaming herself: “It’s my fault really, I can do some stupid things when it comes to us, can’t I?” she questioned before recounting a time she’d been jealous of another woman.
Fans were heartbroken, horrified and uncomfortable in equal measure as they watched Chantelle’s performance.
Grey with Chantelle is uncomfortable viewing #EastEnders
— Shaza B (@scrunchieshaz) January 7, 2020
ONLY one person is to blame in any sort of abusive relationship and it is NOT the victim. Abusers are cunning, clever, insecure, domineering and good at reverse psychology as they make their victim feel like the one at fault.
NEVER blame yourself, Chantelle. 👎🙄#EastEnders
— Trevor Holohan (@HolohanTrevor) January 7, 2020
This Gray and Chantelle storyline is too much for me to handle 😭😭😭😭 it makes me sick to my stomach because I have this feeling hes gonna kill her😭#EastEnders
— Tasha💋 (@tashtash311) January 7, 2020
The abuse storyline Eastenders are doing with Chantelle and Gray is really playing with my heart strings
— TrinityRose (@dii_jaah) January 7, 2020
Gray is finding pleasure in seeing Chantelle blaming herself – it’s sick. Poor Chantelle. @bbceastenders #EastEnders
— Holly Welch (@HollyWe16626271) January 7, 2020
The Gray and Chantelle sl is making me so angry🤬😡 That’s how you know it’s working. It’s supposed to make your blood boil. #eastenders #ballum
— Tina Johnsen (@TinaJohnsen4) January 7, 2020
CHANTELLE WHAT ARE YOU APOLOGISING TO HIM FOR 😭 #EastEnders I know it’s a programme but thats real life for a lot of women.
— Alexandra Hanley (@alexhanleyxox) January 7, 2020
That was an uncomfortable episode to watch. Poor Chantelle. @bbceastenders #EastEnders
— naila akhtar (@naila786blue) January 7, 2020
Very heart wrenching watching Chantelle in #eastenders apologise for being a domestic abuse victim to the perpretrator!
— L (@Franglais27) January 7, 2020
Chantelle blaming herself is literally every victim of domestic violence. This is so so hard to watch 🥺😭 #EastEnders
— Jessica Dixon (@jessicaDixon99) January 7, 2020
Some fans have called for the soap to do something very bold and kill off Chantelle to highlight how these stories often end.
There are many who are fearful that Chantelle is going to die at her abuser’s hands.
It would also massively shock audiences. Soaps usually either redeem their bad guys or they get punished. If Gray kills Chantelle & is sent to prison, it would send out a big message to #EastEnders viewers. DA victims don’t usually survive. Sad, but true.That’s why we need to act
— Kate | Stan Tony Clay (@katiephipps) January 7, 2020
with every episode i become more convinced they are gonna kill off chantelle. the scene in the salon tonight showed how many friends she has and that lots of people would be affected if she died.💔 #EastEnders
— amy ♡ (@chantelIeatkins) January 7, 2020
This storyline with Chantelle and Gray is reminding me so much of ‘Murdered by my boyfriend’ and I have a gut feeling it’ll have the same ending #eastenders
— amy | 4🥳🎉 (@fumerosbeatz) January 7, 2020
Read more: EastEnders SPOILERS: Honey pregnant with Adam’s baby?
Gray actor Toby-Alexander Smith has also taken to Twitter to thank the fans for expressing their feelings on the storyline.
Far from taking offence to the Gray hate, he has praised everyone for ‘calling out the real perpetrators’.
You should all know that all of you voicing your opinions on the Gray and Chantelle storyline are making a difference. I hope this storyline is encouraging a conversation and embarrasses, humiliates and calls out the real perpetrators out there. Please keep talking #eastenders
— Toby-Alexander Smith (@_TobyAlexander) January 7, 2020
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