Penny Branning blackmails dad Jack after his shock betrayal in EastEnders
Recent family drama has driven the pair even further apart
JACK Branning is set for blackmail in upcoming EastEnders scenes – courtesy of his own daughter Penny.
The pair have found themselves frequently at odds in the aftermath of August’s club crush at Peggy’s.
In scenes yet to air, Penny and love interest Harry Mitchell (Elijah Holloway) are set to blackmail her police inspector dad Jack (Scott Maslen).
Before too long though, Jack heads to The Arches to demand answers.
It comes as Penny’s relationship with her father took another downward turn after a shocking betrayal.
Her stepsister Chelsea (Zaraah Abrahams) confessed to being responsible for the club crush.
This was something Penny, as manager at Peggy’s, had received blame for.
A furious Jack demanded Chelsea go to the police and admit what happened.
Along the way, however, she made a stop at the hospital to see a young man who’d been left in intensive care after the crush.
Upon learning the man was not only awake but recovering, Jack rethought everything.
He called a family meeting at No.27, asking those present to vote between Chelsea and Penny.
He reasoned Penny is unlikely to face prison time – and charges would be downgraded as there were no deaths.
Jack added: “As for Chelsea, if she confesses she might get granted bail but there’s aggravated circumstances.”
This included intentionally raising ticket numbers and having not handed herself in.
Ultimately, both women were tied with three votes each.
This meant Jack had the final say – and he opted for the “least worst option” by siding with Chelsea.
Furious, Penny yelled: “What? You choose her instead of me, Dad?”
Storming out, she continued: “You know, screw you all and your stupid vote. I’m going to the police myself!”
Will Jack and Penny ever recover their father-daughter bond?
EastEnders airs on BBC One and is available on iPlayer.
