EastEnders legend Shaun Williamson has spoken out about the latest scandal on the BBC soap, after viewers threatened to boycott it because of it's 'offensive and sickening' rape storyline.

Viewers were left feeling "physically sick" after Dean Wicks forced Linda Carter to take back her rape accusation in harrowing scenes in Wednesday's episode, 22 November.

Dean said he wouldn't report George if Linda would confess to 'lying' about him raping her, as he continued to insist they had consensual sex.

Now Shaun who – shot to fame thanks to his role as Barry Evans on the popular BBC soap from 1994 to 2004 – has agreed that the storyline was "triggering."

Speaking to MailOnline, Shaun said: "A lot of meetings go on about these things and they will have involved lawyer. It doesn't mean the storyline can be without criticism but they've got their facts right.

"The way a lot of the storylines work, it's probably been taken from a true story… but with something like this you do have to walk on eggshells.

"A subject as serious as rape, it's going to trigger people, particularly survivors of sexual assault."

Shaun, who's character perished when Janine Butcher pushed him off a cliff 19 years ago, also praised the writing team and suggested that he'd consider returning to the soap if there was the option to come back as a 'ghost'.

The 2004 shove which led to Barry's presumed death remains one of EastEnders' most famous endings ever, watched by over 15 million viewers.

Shaun's choice to speak out about the soap's rape scandal comes as viewers said they were "sickened" by the latest twist in Dean's storyline.

Many admitted they had to turn the soap over as they watched Linda having to lie about what had happened.

After winding up in hospital following an altercation with George Knight, Dean set out to get revenge on Linda and her family as he threatened to report George – Linda's mum Elaine's boyfriend – to the police.

Linda later told Elaine about Dean's demand that she retracts what happened, with Elaine eventually talking her daughter into doing it so that George could be let off the hook.

Later, Linda told Dean she would say whatever it takes to ensure he doesn't report George, before saying she "lied" and "wanted to sleep" with him.

Linda was clearly distraught and ran back to the Queen Vic, where she broke down at the bar and became inconsolable.

Unbeknown to Linda, Dean had recorded the entire conversation on his mobile phone, meaning he now has evidence of Linda's false confession.

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