EastEnders’ Matt Di Angelo teases Dean Wicks’ involvement in Christmas murder as he makes explosive Walford return
EASTENDERS star Matt Di Angelo has teased his character’s involvement in the show’s highly anticipated Christmas murder.
The actor, who plays twisted rapist Dean Wicks, has returned to Walford after seven years.
Fans of the long-running BBC One soap last saw Dean in 2016 when he fled Walford after raping Linda Carter and attempting to rape Roxy Mitchell.
He was later disowned by his mother Shirley and the rest of the Carter clan, including his now dead brother Mick (Danny Dyer).
Dean’s return to Walford comes as his daughter Jade is seriously in with cystic fibrosis and needs a transplant at a nearby hospital.
36-year-old Matt’s reprisal of the character will leave residents of the Square less than impressed, with the star even hinting at being the victim of the highly anticipated Christmas murder plot.
Addressing the upcoming storyline, he teased: “We know that Linda is involved in the Christmas storyline, and we also know that most people in the Square would like to see the back of Dean.
“But everyone is going to have to wait to find out if Dean’s the body on The Vic floor because I’m not giving away any clues!”
Whilst back in East London Dean will find himself in business with Ian and Cindy Beale.
He invests in the couple’s new pie and mash shop, fitting called Beale’s Eels.
As Dean battles to earn a living as well as supporting his sick daughter, it remains to be seen whether he’s changed or he’s still the same evil villain viewers last saw.
Matt said: “With Dean, it’s hard to know whether he accepts the fact that he raped Linda or whether he is so blind to his actions that he doesn’t think he’s done anything wrong.
“You watch him, and you think, ‘How can he be so deluded?’ But I guess my job as an actor is to try and pick apart his inner psyche to see whether, deep down, he accepts that he’s raped Linda.
“I don’t think his opinion has changed since we last saw him, and I think that the time that’s passed has only convinced him of his position. That’s what is so complex about him.”
One thing is for certain, Linda is going to be faced with her trauma all over again when she lays eyes on Dean.
“Without Mick, Dean can twist the narrative, and he has more chance of getting away with it,” added Matt.
EastEnders airs on BBC One and iPlayer.
