'I'm not sure Elaine's coping'

EastEnders' Elaine and George face "trials" in their marriage, but actress Harriet Thorpe says Elaine will try to put on a brave face

- WORDS: CHARLOTTE TUTTON

The Queen Vic has seen many marriages implode and, this week, the union of Elaine Peacock and George Knight faces a triple threat.

First, Elaine sees red over George helping his ex-wife Cindy Beale, then she discovers George also shared a kiss with his ex Sabrina. But it's Elaine's actions that really endanger their marriage, as she finds herself seduced by the charms of a punter called Stephen.

Harriet Thorpe, who plays the popular Queen Vic landlady, teases fans will "have to wait and see" if the marriage survives.

"I'm not sure Elaine is coping at all," says Harriet, 68. "It's endless trials and tribulations as she's being lied to all the time, and it always seems to involve George's past loves. So, she's dealing with things as best she can and trying to put on the front that she always puts on, but I'm not sure it's working."

However, when she's asked if Cindy (Michelle Collins) will steal George away, Harriet laughs, "Cindy who?" adding, "Cindy is always lurking in the bushes, ready to jump out at George and as far as Elaine is concerned, she's an irritant. The trouble is that Cindy is everything that Elaine isn't."