EastEnders' Brian Conley: 'Kathy won't forgive Rocky - he's devastated'

But while Kathy's (Gillian Taylforth) in the dark, there's no doubt Rocky's involvement will have to come out at some point – and with all eyes on who's the body on Christmas Day, we can't help but worry for Rocky's safety when she does find out.

RadioTimes.com and other press heard from Conley about the gripping storyline and what the future holds for the newlyweds.

Rocky has proven time and time again that he can’t be trusted. Having made the biggest mistake of all by setting fire to the café, do you think Kathy and Rocky can survive this latest hurdle?

BC: Kathy obviously has put up with a hell of a lot [Laughs] since the wedding. He’s so optimistic about the future and he tries to remain positive always, but I think he knows in his heart that it will be asking a hell of a lot from her to forgive him.

But you never know, goodwill to all men and hopefully at Christmas the magic fairy will come down and change everything and put it all back to normal, but I think that’s very unlikely. [Laughs]

I mean, the fact that it is Christmas, Kathy might find it in her heart to forgive him, but I don’t think she will and he would have to do a hell of a lot to win back her trust. She has forgiven him in the past because their love is so strong and they truly love each other.

All of this was to try and help the situation as they got deeper and deeper into debt, and Rocky saw this as the only answer. It was always because he loved Kathy and he wanted to make it all right, so maybe she will see through all of it and realise that’s what he was trying to do. But he has burnt down her cafe, so we’ll have to wait and see.

Rocky is continuing to keep his involvement secret from wife Kathy. Where do we find Rocky at this point in the storyline and how is he feeling?

BC: Devastated that he’s bought this all on himself. He’s got no one else to blame but himself and he really shouldn’t have gone to Nish to ask for a loan – what did he ever expect? It’s made even worse that it is Christmas.

I think moments like this really do magnify over the Christmas period where everyone is joyous and looking forward, so he’s just devastated about the whole thing and I don’t think he can see a way out even though he tries to remain positive.

What has it been like working up to the storyline since February?

BC: I think it’s amazing. It’s very clever and I think you can only do this type of story in an ongoing drama. The audience have been very patient.

Do you think Rocky will be wearing the dreaded cufflinks at Christmas?

BC: It’s a possibility. He could be, or it could be anyone…

Read more:

• EastEnders winter preview 2023: Chris Clenshaw on Christmas, exits, returns
• EastEnders’ Alfie and Linda plot to force Dean out of Walford after new low
• EastEnders’ Nish Panesar gives Rocky new ultimatum over café fire
• EastEnders drops dramatic Christmas trailer with violent Kathy Cotton
• EastEnders couple face split after outburst in early BBC iPlayer release
• EastEnders airs dramatic Christmas teaser for Sharon
• EastEnders boss explains Dean Wicks return to Walford in Halloween shock
• Who was Tom Banks in EastEnders? Sharon’s tragic lost love explained
• EastEnders boss teases "huge consequences" for Reiss Colwell lie
• EastEnders' Lauren Branning "won’t be returning on her own", teases soap boss
• EastEnders confirms festive "miracle" for Whitney Dean and Zack Hudson

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and from 6am on BBC iPlayer.

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