Tony King

Infobox EastEnders character
character_name=Tony King


actor_name= Chris Coghill
introducer=Diederick Santer
years=2008
status = Engaged
first= 12 September 2008
home = 31 Albert Square
classification=Present; regular (departing)

Tony King is a fictional character in the BBC soap opera "EastEnders".cite news|url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/article1367324.ece|title=BeastEnders|publisher=The Sun|date=2008-07-02|accessdate=2008-07-02] . He is played by Chris Coghillcite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a107272/ex-shameless-actor-joins-enders.html|title=Ex-'Shameless' actor joins 'Enders|publisher=Digital Spy|date=2008-07-04|accessdate=2008-07-04] . He is the partner of established character Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer). Although it was originally suggested that he was the father of Bianca's son Morgan (Devon Higgs), it was later confirmed that they are not biologically related." [http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a107432/eastenders-morgan-whos-the-daddy.html 'EastEnders' Morgan: Who's the Daddy?] ", "Digital Spy". URL last accessed 2008-07-05.] It was confirmed on 24 September 2008 that Coghill would finish filming the role of Tony in October 2008. [cite news|url=http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/news/burytimes/3698700.Actor_in_controversial_storyline/|title=Actor in controversial storyline|publisher="This Is Lancashire"|date=24 September 2008|accessdate=2008-09-25]

Character creation

The character of Tony was first mentioned from the time of Bianca's return to the serial in April 2008. His arrival to the serial was anticipated after he was mentioned heavily by the characters of Bianca and her step-daughter Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty). Executive producer of "EastEnders", Diederick Santer said in an April 2008 interview that "we've heard so much already about Tony and we are building up a picture...Bianca obviously thinks the world of him and I think we would all be interested to see him!" [" [http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a94856/diederick-santer-executive-producer-eastenders.html EXCLUSIVE: Diederick Santer (Executive Producer, 'EastEnders')] ", "Digital Spy". URL last accessed 2008-07-02.]

It was reported on 2 July 2008 that Tony would be arriving in the serial, as part of a child sexual abuse storyline involving Whitney. An "EastEnders" spokesperson said: "EastEnders" is currently planning a future storyline which will tackle sexual abuse within the Jackson family. The programme is working very closely with the NSPCC so that this subject is accurately and sensitively portrayed. "EastEnders" is a contemporary drama which aims to tackle and reflect real-life issues together with raising awareness of the sensitivities that sometimes accompany them. "EastEnders" has successfully drawn attention in the past to a number of sensitive issues including domestic violence, rape and HIV." NSPCC's director of communications, John Grounds, said: "Programmes like "EastEnders" are increasingly helping to raise awareness of the hidden nature of sexual abuse. The NSPCC's work with the BBC on the forthcoming "EastEnders" storyline is aimed at ensuring the portrayal of child abuse accurately reflects the damage it can do to the victim, their family and the wider community. This is vital in persuading people to take action to stop it and encouraging children to speak out." [" [http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a106462/child-sex-abuse-plot-for-enders.html Child sex abuse plot for 'Enders] ", "Digital Spy". URL last accessed 2008-07-02.]

"The Sun" reported that "this storyline has been planned since last year...Whitney [will be] making sly comments and worrying when she realises Tony is being released from prison" and that he will "wreak devastation on the family."

It was announced on 4 July 2008 that actor Chris Coghill would be playing the part of Tony. Of his casting, Coghill commented: "This is the most challenging role I have had to play. But I hope by "EastEnders" tackling the sensitive issue of child abuse it can raise awareness."

The casting of a white actor in the role raised confusion with the soap's viewers, as it had been stated that Tony was to be the father of mixed-race character Morgan Jackson-King. An "EastEnders" source commented that "Tony isn't Morgan's father and the reasons behind the cover up will be revealed pretty soon after Tony's arrival."It was revealed that when Tony loses interest in Whitney; he will begin to groom 14 year old Lauren Branning, the daughter of Max and Tanya Branning

torylines

Arrival

Tony met a struggling Bianca Jackson in 2004 and began a relationship, acting as stepfather to her four children. Unbeknown to Bianca, Tony was a paedophile, and he began grooming her step daughter Whitney Dean when she was 12. Whitney fell in love with Tony and they began a sexual relationship, which was halted in 2007 when Tony was imprisoned for Actual bodily harm after he assualted a teenage boy who propositioned Whitney. [" [http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/soapland/2008/09/eastenders-towhit-towoo.html Eastenders: To-Whit, to-woo] ", "The Mirror". URL last accessed 2008-09-22.]

On September 12 2008, Tony arrived in Albert Square to join Bianca and her family after being released from prison. He was welcomed home with a party and immediately resumed his affair with Whitney. They had sex and Tony took steps to ensure he and Whitney could spend time together undetected by putting a lock on her bedroom door. He disliked Whitney's more adult appearance and instructed that she remove her make-up and jewelry, as she no longer looked like "the 12 year old he fell in love with".

Whitney got a part in a school play, "Romeo and Julie", which Tony was furious about. He tried to stop her participation, but soon changed his mind when he realised he could spend time alone with her rehearsing. He promised Whitney that they would start a new life together as legitimate lovers when she turned 16.

Whitney showed Tony the lottery money she had kept hidden away and gave it to him to look after. Later that day, Bianca asked Tony to marry her, but he turned her down, saying that they couldn't afford it. Bianca got upset but Tony comforted her and showed her the money Whitney had gave him, so they could put a deposit on a flat.

When Whitney and Peter Beale were rehearsing for the school play, Tony came in and punched Peter in the face, because he was jealous of the amount of time they need to spend together to rehearse. Whitney had forced Peter to remain quiet about where he got the black eyes from. However, Lucy Beale finds out after overhearing a conversation between Tony and Peter and storms around the Jackson's revealing to Bianca Tony punched Peter. Bianca then tells him he can't keep protecting her as she is no longer a child. This makes Tony realise he no longer has a use for Whitney and he dumps her.

Bianca proposed to Tony about marriage. He accepted but as he looks out of Whitney's window, viewers begin to realize that his next victim will be Lauren Branning.

References

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