Yahoo News EastEnders reveals Derek's 'criminal' secret tonight
EastEnders delves deeper into Derek Harkinson's past tonight (June 29) as he confides in Johnny Carter following an emotional week.
Derek (Ian Lavender) has been distraught to learn that he's lost his job at the Minute Mart as punishment for failing to declare a criminal record when he took on the position.
To make matters even worse, Derek was also furious to receive homophobic abuse from troublesome teen Keegan Baker when he caught him shoplifting at the local supermarket.
While EastEnders hasn't yet revealed the story behind Derek's criminal record, the truth comes out this evening (June 29) as he reluctantly opens up to Johnny.
Feeling guilty after failing to stand up to Keegan when he witnessed the nasty incident at the Minute Mart, Johnny (Ted Reilly) tries his best to make things up to Derek.
When Johnny tracks him down by paying him a visit at home, he encourages Derek to reveal the full story behind recent events – but why exactly does he have a criminal record?
Some fans think they've already spotted a clue to Derek's backstory, as Tuesday's episode saw him tell Johnny that he lived in fear of being arrested when he grew up as a gay man in a less accepting society.
Private homosexual acts between men aged over 21 weren't decriminalised until the 1967 Sexual Offences Act was passed. The age of consent for gay men wasn't lowered to 18 until 1994, before being further lowered to 16 in 2001.
Others have speculated that Derek's conviction could relate to the time when he took rap for Martin Fowler after he'd been caught growing cannabis.
Just twigged that Derek's conviction in #EastEnders is due to being gay before 1967 Sexual Offences Act brought in. V. important storyline.
- Tom Carr (@ItsMeTomC) June 28, 2017
oh my god, I think Derek's story is exactly like Lawrence's from Emmerdale 😧#EastEnders
- umalkhayr 🌙 (@_LilMissSarcasm) June 27, 2017
So Derek's offence on #EastEnders is clearly going to relate to the Sexual Offences act of 1967 and decriminalisation.
- Edward Russell (@edwardrussell) June 27, 2017
Was poor Derek put in prison for being homosexual? I feel so sad for him #Eastenders
- Lauren Hope (@LozzaHopeXx) June 27, 2017
#EastEnders is awful recently. But I do feel for Derek. Surely his 'crime' is to do with homosexuality back when it was illegal?
- Becky Wallis (@PinkFluffyChic) June 27, 2017
My guess...
Derek was arrested for under the Sexual Offences Act (Pre-1967)#50YearsLegal#EastEnders pic.twitter.com/y5VPi1yNiE- Richard Harris (@cigarboyrick82) June 27, 2017
Clever piece of continuity to punish Derek for the criminal record he got covering for Martin back in like 2004 #Eastenders
- Matt (@Heathyheath_) June 27, 2017
Derek's conviction is for growing the devil's lettuce. Martin was growing it in Arthur's shed down the allotment... #EastEnders 1/2
- Max Shanly (@maxshanly) June 26, 2017
Derek took the wrap so Martin didn't get in trouble cos he's a good bloke and loved him like a son. #EastEnders 2/2
- Max Shanly (@maxshanly) June 26, 2017
EastEnders continues tonight (June 29) at 7.30pm on BBC One when all is revealed.
Read more news, spoilers and gossip on our EastEnders homepage
Want up-to-the-minute soaps news, spoilers and gossip on your social feeds? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Soaps Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @soapscoop Twitter account.
Digital Spy Soap Scoop video – hit play below for all the latest EastEnders gossip, as stalker Steven strikes again and Karen makes a shocking discovery.
You Might Also Like
