An EastEnders actress is expected to stand trial next year after being charged with racially aggravated harassment following an incident outside a Jamie's Italian in east London.
Linda Henry, who plays Shirley Carter in the BBC1 soap, is accused of 'hurling abuse' outside the restaurant in Greenwich on September 14th and yesterday her lawyer went to Bexley Magistrates' Court on her behalf to deny the charge.
The 51-year-old will be tried under her married name, Linda Virilis, and has pleaded not guilty to the offence.
A source told the Sun that Linda is "horrified" at the accusation and will fight it "tooth and nail".
"Those close to her know the truth and the type of person she is," the insider continued.
"She has never been in trouble before, has never been accused of this type of thing before and is determined to prove she is innocent of these deeply offensive claims."
Meanwhile, the actress will continue to film her upcoming EastEnders storylines as normal.
Her case will be heard at trial on February 11 2015.