EastEnders fans open-mouthed as Stuart Highway has explosive breakdown and brutally rejects son Roland

EASTENDERS' Stuart Highway shocked fans tonight as he suffered an explosive meltdown - and brutally rejected newborn son Roland.

The funeral director - played by Ricky Champ on the BBC soap - has been battling with postnatal depression for the last few months.

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In tonight's instalment, Rainie prepared for the social worker’s visit to discuss the parental order but panicked when Stuart is nowhere to be found.

With the social worker waiting, Stuarts grandmother Vi and brother, and Callum, tracked him down and encouraged him to support Rainie.

The meeting finally got underway but Stuart is soon overwhelmed by it all and ordered it to be over, ushering the social worker out of his home.

Stuart spiralled out of control and marched over to the Taylor's with Roland, despite Rainie's pleas.

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Behaving out of character, Stuart demanded Bernie to take Roland, asserting he doesn't want him.

"You have to take him, have him," Stuart told Bernie.

But the alarmed surrogate said: "No, we can't have him. This ain't right."

Stuart yelled: "He's yours, you made him."

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Watching her dream of a happy family crumble, Rainie exclaimed: "No! Don't let him do this to you."

But as things escalated, Karen took Roland inside and locked the door, leaving a devastated Rainie on the floor in tears as she screamed for her baby back.

Viewers were stunned at Stuart's shock breakdown and heartbroken for Rainie.

One wrote: "Stuart is bang out of order ."

Another posted: "Cancer or not Stuart was TRASH for doing that to Rainie ."

A third added: "I know Stuart is dealing with Mental health issues, but if I was Raine I don't see a way back from this. ."

For months, Rainie and Stuart have been adamant on starting a family.

When Bernie Taylor (Clair Norris) agreed to be their surrogate mother, the couple were relieved to see their dreams could finally come true.

Bernie gave birth to a baby boy which the couple named Roland.

Rainie and Stuart have since been ready to sign their parental order to make their family official.

But as it turns out, Stuart is struggling to come to terms with fatherhood as symptoms of postnatal depression take over his life - which results in a difficult situation for his other half.

As BBC One viewers know, Stuart first struggled with his prostate cancer diagnosis, which led to weeks of denial and secrecy over his condition.

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But he vowed to Bernie he would take the steps to recovery as he wanted to be in shape for baby Roland.

Sadly, once Roland was home, Stuart failed to form a connection with his son.

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EastEnders airs on BBC One.

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