Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) is desperate to turn a page with son Tommy Moon (Sonny Kendall) in EastEnders, but that sadly isn’t going to happen any time soon.
Tommy’s behaviour drastically changed a few months ago. Frustrated over the fact he wasn’t allowed to hang out with Phil (Steve McFadden), Tommy took his anger out on Kat by punching her in the stomach.
To defend herself, Kat pushed Tommy but it resulted in him falling to the floor. To get his revenge, Tommy phoned social services and reported her.
While Alfie (Shane Richie) managed to talk Tommy around and convince the authorities he had made up his claim, it became clear that the youngster was playing his parents.
Coming up, Kat tells the boys that Alfie has the new Manager’s job at the Minute Mart. As a result of him losing his job at the bookies though, it becomes clear the family is struggling with cash.
Aware of what’s going on, misguided Tommy plots to steal from the café, but he’s caught by Kathy (Gillian Taylforth), who tells Kat everything and suggests she has a stern word with her boy.
Kat tries her best to talk to Tommy, but his anger grows and he ends up physically intimidating his mum.
n the week, Kat has another attempt at gaining control of Tommy but when he’s viciously rude in response, his shocking attitude is picked up by Phil.
Things go from bad to worse towards the end of the week, as Kat tries to address Tommy stealing from the café but when he attempts to leave, she grabs him.
Upon announcing the child-to-parent abuse storyline earlier this year, EastEnders’ executive producer Chris Clenshaw explained: ‘Kat is well-known in Albert Square for her no-nonsense attitude and fiery temper, but this storyline will explore how Tommy manipulates Kat’s unequivocal love for her son to exert his anger and elicit control.
‘Jessie and Sonny’s performances have thoughtfully portrayed the complex realities of child to parent abuse with compassion and understanding, and the storyline will demonstrate how Tommy’s behaviour affects their relationship and the wider Slater-Moon family as a whole.’
