Simone Lahbib feels "proud" of her 'EastEnders' abuse storyline after a number of real-life survivors thanked her for playing out the plot.
Simone Lahbib as Katy Lewis
The 56-year-old star's evil character Katy Lewis - who abused Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) when he was just 12 years old - is in court for sentencing in tonight's (21.05.21) episode, and the 'Bad Girls' legend feels the hard-hitting storyline has been "worthwhile" after hearing so many viewers talk about similar real-life events.
She said: "I've had a lot of private messages from people who have told me that that was their story and have thanked me for portraying it so honestly and for doing it so well.
"I actually had a message from someone this morning telling me that they've known for a while – it's amazing they feel they can share their story with me. I've had quite a few people get in contact since the story started and I've had to look at it from the positive angle of that if it's helping someone speak about it, acknowledge it and get help that it was worthwhile.
"I am so glad the BBC put the support lines at the end of each episode as well. I feel really proud of the work we've done."
Simone was warned by EastEnders' executive producer Jon Sen that she could be badly trolled for portraying evil care worker Katy, but she wasn't worried about social media abuse and admitted the feedback has "been really positive".
She added to Digital Spy: "The only time I did think about it was when I was speaking to Jon Sen before I started filming.
"He called me up to make sure I was comfortable taking on the role.
"It was only as he was speaking to me and asking if I was sure I wanted to take it on that I started thinking, 'What is he worried about?'
"I asked him what I should be worried about and what he envisaged could be the aftermath and we talked about social media and trolls, but that didn't bother me - I don't engage in it."