EASTENDERS has shed light on the terrifying secret, newcomer Joel Marshall has brought with him to Albert Square.
Played by Max Murray, the teenager has a dark past including a history of sexually harassing girls.
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Joel arrived in Walford earlier this year alongside his dad Ross (Alex Walkinshaw) and his partner Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig), who returned from living in Australia.
EastEnders viewers saw this week how Ross blew his top when he came home to find his son having sex with fellow schoolgirl Avani Nandra-Hart, portrayed by Aaliyah James, 24.
Vicki could not understand why Ross was so upset when he learned the teens had been having sex.
Ross’ worst fears were then confirmed, when he discovered that the twisted teen had secretly filmed Avani having sex with him without her knowing.
Joel then showed best friend Tommy the footage in an attempt to impress him.
The father and son’s big secret is then revealed to Vicki, and that this was not Joel’s first time exhibiting predatory behaviour.
It turns out Joel had taken a photo up a girl’s skirt when they were in Australia, and Ross had been forced to pay off her family so they would not take the matter to police.
Joel’s storyline of incel behaviour is part of a plan by EastEnders bosses to tackle the hard-hitting issue of toxic masculinity.
An EastEnders insider said: “There is a huge rise in this type of behaviour amongst teenage boys and bosses are aware that the show is hugely popular with younger age groups so they’re hoping this storyline will reach those who need it.
“Bosses scripted this storyline over six months ago and it will build over the coming weeks and months to show the influence that social media can have on impressionable teens.
“It will also explore the effects that a toxic friendship can have, especially when it involves impressionable teenagers.
“It’s not going to be glamorous, and bosses are keen to highlight the consequences of such actions, and the repercussions this can have on the individual and those around them.”
It comes after the success of Netflix drama Adolescence documented similar behaviour among teenage boys.
Last month it was reported that nearly three in five (59 per cent) teachers said they believe social media use has contributed to a deterioration in pupils’ behaviour in schools, according to a poll by the NASUWT teaching union.
The survey, of more than 5,800 NASUWT members in the UK in January, suggests that teachers think social media is the number one cause of negative pupil behaviour.
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EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer.
Soap’s most harrowing teen storylines
We take a look at other harrowing teen soap storylines from soaps Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks.
Belle Dingle’s schizophrenia in Emmerdale – Belle’s (Eden Taylor-Draper) traumatic journey in Emmerdale took a dark turn when, after accidentally killing her best friend Gemma at just 16, her mental health began to spiral.
The storyline, which saw Belle struggling with her grief and guilt, showcased her battle with hearing Gemma’s voice inside her head, leading to a dramatic decline in her well-being.
Hannah Ashworth’s anorexia in Hollyoaks – Viewers were horrified as they watched Hannah (Emma Rigby), a seemingly innocent teen, spiral into dangerous behavior, starving herself in an attempt to achieve what she thought was the ideal body.
As Hannah’s condition worsened, the storyline became more intense, culminating in her being hospitalised for two months as she fought for her life.
Bethany Platt’s grooming ordeal in Coronation Street – Vulnerable schoolgirl, played by Lucy Fallon, was at the centre of one of Corrie’s darkest storylines to date when she fell under the spell of her older boyfriend and sexual predator.
The controversial scenes saw Nathan groom and manipulate the 16-year-old before coercing her into sleeping with his friends, with one of them raping her.
Whitney Dean’s abuse from Tony in EastEnders – Since the age of 12, she had been in a twisted relationship with her stepmum Bianca’s boyfriend, Tony King. The predator had groomed young Whit (Shona McGarty), making her believe she was in love and planning to run away with him.
On her 16th birthday, the traumatised teen finally revealed the years of abuse to Bianca. Tony was swiftly sent to prison sentenced for 13 years.