Dot Branning's terrible tumble

EastEnders' Dot Branning is to take a terrible tumble after having an explosive row with stepdaughter Carol Jackson.

Relations between the pair will fall to an all-time low when elderly Dot - played by June Brown - discovers Carol (Lindsey Coulson) has been keeping her in the dark about Whitney's (Shona McGarty) recent brush with prostitution.

While Dot's doting pal Edward Bishop (Frank Barrie) quickly springs to her defence, demanding Carol and her bad boy brother Max (Jake Wood) include her more in family matters, cruel Carol takes a swipe at the pair's friendship.

An 'EastEnders' insider explained: "Carol doesn't really mean anything by it, but she makes a comment about Dot's relationship with Edward that really stings.

"Dot thinks Carol is implying there is something inappropriate about their friendship, and she's outraged and humiliated."

Fearing others may share Carol's views, Dot bans the rest of her family and kind-hearted Edward from visiting her unless it's to bring meals for her ill husband Jim (John Bardon), but quickly struggles to manage.

The source added to Inside Soap magazine: "Dot is trying to do too many things at once. In her haste to get to the launderette, she tumbles down the stairs. It's a nasty fall, and Dot is left unconscious. It's horrible for Jim, too, as he knows that his wife is in trouble but can't raise the alarm."