Tony King (EastEnders)

Tony King
EastEnders character
Portrayed byChris Coghill
Duration2008–2009
First appearanceEpisode 3646
12 September 2008 (2008-09-12)
Last appearanceEpisode 3913
18 December 2009 (2009-12-18)
ClassificationFormer; regular
Introduced byDiederick Santer
In-universe information
SonsLeo King[1]

Tony King is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Chris Coghill. He was the partner of established character Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer), and a father-figure to her four children. Tony sexually abused Bianca's stepdaughter, Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty), and began grooming her school-friend Lauren Branning (Madeline Duggan), before his predatory nature was uncovered and he was arrested for his crimes. Tony appeared between 12 September and 12 December 2008 and returned in December 2009 to stand trial.

The child sexual abuse storyline marked the first time the subject matter had been broached in a UK soap opera, and was researched and developed with advice and approval from the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. The abusive nature of Tony and Whitney's relationship resulted in over 200 complaints being made to the BBC and television regulatory body Ofcom by members of the public,[2] with the storyline deemed "one of the darkest and most disturbing storylines EastEnders has ever attempted" by The Mirror's Beth Neil.[3] The NSPCC however praised the storyline for "helping to raise awareness of the hidden nature of sexual abuse".[4] The storyline also gained EastEnders a Royal Television Society Programme Award in March 2009 in the Soap and Continuing Drama category.

  1. ^ Dainty, Sophie (9 September 2019). "EastEnders reveals identity of mystery newcomer Leo as Bianca's secrets unravel. Actor Tom Wells warns Leo is "definitely a man not to be trusted"". Digital Spy. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
  2. ^ Holmwood, Leigh (18 September 2008). "EastEnders paedophile storyline draws 200 complaints". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 November 2008.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference darkest was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference nspcc was invoked but never defined (see the help page).