EastEnders fans heartbroken as Chantelle almost exposes Gray's abuse to dad Mitch

EastEnders viewers were distraught for Chantelle Atkins during the latest episode of the BBC soap, as she almost opened up on her harrowing abuse ordeal.

Her husband Gray Atkins has been violently beating her for at least a few years, while no one in the Square knows the truth.

To everyone else, Gray is a good man and the "hero" after he managed to get Whitney Dean out of prison.

But he and father-in-law Mitch Baker have never really got on, with his suspicions over him recently raising.

He'd noticed Chantelle was struggling, and feared Gray might be harming his daughter - not realising the horrifying truth though.

EastEnders fans were devastated as Chantelle covered for Gray to dad Mitch (BBC)

After finding a card for a counsellor in the house, Mitch decided to confront his daughter and ask if it was for her husband.

A tearful Chantelle admitted it was, and looked as though she was finally going to open up about her torment behind closed doors.

Just recently, a stressed Gray took his anger out on her once again and brutally beat her, leaving her severely bruised.

EastEnders' Mitch Baker almost rumbled Gray was hurting Chantelle (BBC)

Prior to this, he'd broken his wife's arm in another brutal attack because she didn't want another baby with him.

Gray had been attending counselling sessions months ago, but stopped soon after.

As Mitch worried for Chantelle after her admitting it was Gray's card, viewers hoped she'd find the bravery to reveal all.

EastEnders' Gray has been abusing wife Chantelle for years (BBC / Kieron McCarron)

But a scared Chantelle appeared to change her mind, and quickly claimed Gray had got the card for Whitney after her recent prison turmoil.

She lied that they were both so worried for Whitney, that Gray encouraged her to speak to someone.

It's then that Mitch believed he'd got his son-in-law all wrong the entire time, calling him a "good man" and praising him, unaware of the devastating truth.

Whitney and Mitch told Chantelle how great her husband was (BBC)

Taking to Twitter, fans shared their heartbreak over Chantelle not speaking out after Mitch's comments.

One fan said: " @bbceastenders I actually thought Chantelle was going to tell her dad the truth for a split second. My heart was in my mouth."

Another tweeted: "TELL HIM CHANTELLE!!"

A third added: "Oh Chantelle it's time to save yourself and finally expose Gray."

EastEnders airs Mondays at 8pm, and Tuesdays at 7:30pm on BBC One.