Oh dear, what have EastEnders bigwigs done?
They were doing such a good job of highlighting how depression affects men, with an ongoing storyline based around troubled Lee Carter.
But all that hard work appears to have somewhat unravelled – and sympathy for the young man quickly dried up – after a scene played out in which he slapped long-suffering wife Whitney.
She has long been a favourite with viewers and many people were furious to see her attacked in Friday’s episode.
Some were so cross they have called for Lee to be written out of the show immediately.
One wrote on Twitter: “Im done. Lee just leave. #Eastenders.” (sic)
Another simply put: “Get rid of him”.
Others wrote: “Lee actually makes me feel sick” and “Nope. Finito. It’s finished. Bye. Done. Have a nice life. #eastenders.”
Another tweeted the ultimate condemnation: “Can we just get rid of Lee in #eastenders ? The most awful character along with Babe” (sic)
Tension had been building in the marriage of newlyweds Whitney and Lee Carter ever since they tied the knot (never a good omen!).
He got cold feet, convinced he wasn’t good enough for her.
And the depression causing Lee’s self-doubt has just grown ever more crippling since he decided to go ahead with the big day.
Plagued by fear and self-loathing, the former soldier has been pushing his young wife further away.
And, despite being devoted to him, the rejection and constant low-fi misery is taking its toll on Whitney.
Confused and frightened after being injured in the bus crash, she even kissed her father-in-law Mick last month.
Desperate to try and cheer up her husband this week, she pawned her engagement and wedding rings so they could have a night out together.
But her actions backfired and they ended up having an almighty row instead.
Lee hit the roof when he found out that Whit had been asking his friend Bean Bag (yes, really…) to get him a job.
“I’m a grown man,” he bellowed.
His exasperated wife hit back: “Start acting like one! I put up with so much.
“What I wouldn’t give for you to be more like your dad. But you can’t, you leave him to pick up the pieces.”
“Earlier, your dad said, ‘He don’t deserve you’, and, you know what? I’m beginning to think he’s right.”
This was like a red rag to a bull and Lee slapped his wife clean across the face.
He immediately regretted his impulsive actions and was seen begging his wife for forgiveness.
But could this be the final straw for her as well as viewers?