Emma Barton praises EastEnders for eating disorder storyline

Emma Barton is delighted with how \'EastEnders\' bosses have dealt with her character\'s eating disorder.

The 42-year-old actress - who has played Honey Mitchell on the BBC soap on and off since her first appearance on Albert Square in 2005 - has opened up about her alter ego\'s current plot, and she praised the team for the sensitive and smart way they\'ve handled such an important issue.

She told ITV\'s \'Loose Women\': "What I will say is what\'s great is we\'re working on a storyline of an eating disorder.

Kellie Shirley would return to EastEnders for 'juicy storyline'

"I\'m 42 and I think what\'s lovely is that is doesn\'t affect a certain age group, it doesn\'t affect just women, it affects men as well.

"I think that \'EastEnders\' has done brilliantly - like all the soaps do - work well with researchers, work with charities. You will see over the next few weeks, it coming to a head."

Emma - who was a runner up on last year\'s series of \'Strictly Come Dancing\' - voiced her support for the writers and directors behind the scenes, and revealed how Honey\'s issues came from the "breakdown" of her on-screen relationship.

Ross Kemp leads birthday wishes for former co-star Barbara Windsor

She added: "\'EastEnders\' have been brilliant - some really beautiful written scenes, and directed. It\'s really sort of come to life since the stress of her relationship breakdown."

She also explained while her character has people around her for support, it can be difficult to accept that there\'s an issue to address.

She said: "It takes a while, doesn\'t it, for issues for people to recognise and admit there\'s something wrong."