Watchdog clears soap abuse plot

Character Whitney Dean was seduced by screen stepfather Tony King

An EastEnders storyline about a character's relationship with his teenage stepdaughter did not breach guidelines, Ofcom has ruled.

The episodes, which prompted 200 complaints from viewers, did not dwell on the physical nature of the abuse, the broadcasting watchdog decided.

Tony and Whitney's story was covered "appropriately and sensitively" and could have a positive impact, it said.

The storyline ran on the BBC One soap from September to December.

Uncomfortable viewing

It emerged that Whitney, 15, had been groomed by her stepfather since the age of 12.

Many viewers had objected to the material because it was broadcast before the watershed.

An early show featured Whitney (Shona McGarty) and Tony, played by Chris Coghill, secretly kissing.

She eventually confided in her stepmother Bianca, who persuaded her to press charges against Tony.

At the time the BBC said that the storyline had been created with the assistance of children's charity the NSPCC and in full accordance with BBC editorial policy.

It admitted that some of the scenes would make uncomfortable viewing, but insisted that any violence was implied rather than graphically portrayed.

As the storyline unfolded, around eight million viewers were tuning into the soap.