EastEnders fans were left horrified last night (Thursday April 12) after young Dennis Rickman punched his mother Sharon Mitchell in the face.
Sharon was trying to get through to her son after she’d thrown a punch herself at his ‘mate’, Stix.
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Denny had been planning to run away with Stix after the gang had groomed Phil Mitchell’s stepson into getting involved in their drug deals.
Sharon wanted answers from her son over why he wanted to leave the family home.
“Talk to me Denny,” she begged.
“I’ve got nothing to say,” he told her.
When she replied with: “Darling I’m worried about you,” Denny lashed out.
“‘Cos it suits you, the only time you care about me is when it suits you.” He then railed at her for going to Australia when he was bullied and beaten and left needing stitches.
As he stormed off upstairs, Sharon followed him telling him she wasn’t finished talking to him.
That’s when he dealt the killer blow – calling her a “total slapper” and punching her hard on the face.
How has it come to this? #EastEnders pic.twitter.com/wdypfbFk8B
— BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) 11 April 2019
Fans were horrified at what many believe is the start of a domestic violence storyline between Sharon and her son.
They took to Twitter to express their feelings.
Dennis punching Sharon is one of the most shocking duff-duffs we’ve had in ages, Letitia Dean put in another fantastic performance. Those scenes in Dot’s kitchen were electric! #EastEnders
— Tremendous TV (@tremendous_tv) 12 April 2019
@bbceastenders Wow, Denny—erm, DENNIS! I felt that punch all the way across the pond here in North Carolina! Sharon will be sporting a bruiser soon! Ouch! #EastEnders
— Queen City EastEnders Fans (@MelissaBerry919) 11 April 2019
The Sharon & Dennis scene was interesting tonight. I could see where he was coming from & she lost her temper & didn’t listen to his valid points but he was out of order. I gasped when he hit her! I hope this is actually going to go somewhere unlike the 2015 incident #Eastenders
— Amy (@xamyrichiex) 11 April 2019
Dennis punching Sharon #eastenders pic.twitter.com/fPpjCjO6kI
— Liz (@earockit) 11 April 2019
Wow, I literally and gasped when Dennis hit Sharon. So shocked #Eastenders @bbceastenders
— Gazman720 (@gazman720) 11 April 2019
Can’t believe Dennis just full on punched Sharon in the face wtf #Eastenders
— Reece (@iPC_Gaming) 11 April 2019
But some were more bothered by what they called a “comedic” sound effect over the top of the punch.
One even compared the noise to the old Batman TV show starring Adam West!
That noise when Dennis hit Sharon #Eastenders
— Court (@courtsclarke_x) 12 April 2019
Did I hear a comedic fake punch sound effect when Denny hit Sharon? Scenes #EastEnders
— WalfordWhisperer (@WalfordWhispers) 11 April 2019
Who put that sound effect over Denny punching Sharon so it sounded like he was hitting a metal door, screaming #EastEnders
— Mary, Queen of Goths (@ParamitePies) 11 April 2019
Just caught up with EastEnders this evening and omfg the sound effect when Denny punched Sharon it was like watching Adam West as Batman
— (@shannonatron) 11 April 2019
Loved the street fighter sound effect there when Dennis punched Sharon. #EastEnders
— EastEnders Weekly Podcast (@eastendersweek) 11 April 2019
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While Sharon reels from what’s just happened with her precious little boy, who know what hardman Phil’s going to say when he finds out.
Who can Sharon turn to to help with her wayward son? Is there any coming back for him? Or has it gone to far?
EastEnders continues on Friday at 8pm on BBC1.
Did you see Dennis hit Sharon? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think.