EastEnders theory: Karen Taylor embarks on affair with Stuart Highway | TV & Radio | Showbiz & TV
Karen Taylor (played by Lorraine Stanley) has been there for Stuart Highway (Ricky Champ) in insisting he seeks professional help for his potential post natal depression. The friend to Stuart and on-off partner to Mitch Baker (Roger Griffiths) has guided the troubled undertaker. Despite initially pushing back against her suggestions, Stuart begins to come round to her way of thinking. But will the flood of emotions lead to some questionable decision-making?
Official spoilers from EastEnders confirm Stuart is set for a potential life-changing moment as he agrees to listen to his friend Karen.
On a particularly emotional day in Albert Square, the hapless Stuart receives the wrath of Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) for turning up late to Avery’s funeral.
The undertaker also makes matters worse by forgetting key details of the sombre ceremony, frustrating and upsetting Mitch.
Jay’s patience runs thin and he gives Stuart his marching orders for the errors he’s continued to make.
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He tells Karen how he signed his parental rights over to his Rainie and how she doesn’t want to see his face again.
During their chat, Karen urges Stuart to acknowledge how he feels and to get some professional help, believing he is experiencing postnatal depression.
If Stuart is diagnosed with postnatal depression he will need support from loved ones and without Rainie on the square, Karen could step in and fill that void.
Stuck in this way, Stuart resists and disagrees with the suggested approach from Karen.
But, Karen can see how they are making progress together as a team and Stuart eventually agrees to get help with his mental health.
Their friendship could become complicated, with Mitch upset at how Stuart ruined the funeral of his brother Avery Baker (played by Omar Lye-Fook).
The actions of Karen could certainly add fuel to that fire, when she decides to dodge her daughter Bernie’s (Clair Norris) party, in order to make Stuart’s first GP visit.
What became an innocent attempt to support a friend, could lead to a more intense feeling, where the two inevitably fall for each other.
Will Stuart and Karen keep their relationship respectful? Or will their friendship and potential affair make matters a whole lot more complicated?
EastEnders airs on BBC One on Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm
