'EastEnders fans attack me on the Tube', says Sean

The Irish actor, who has also starred in Red Rock, was accosted by a furious member of the public who questioned him over his character's machinations.

Mahon said a woman chased him down a Tube station platform and leapt on to his train to deliver an aggressive tirade.

The actor said his interactions in real life have become more troubling since his character's recent exploits in the soap.

There has been anger over his treatment of on-screen partner Mel Owen, played Tamzin Outhwaite.

"There was a lot of affable reaction to me on the streets but it's gotten a little bit darker," Mahon said.

Drama

"I had someone attack me, nearly attack me, on the train, on the subway. I won't go into too many details.

"A person - probably out of their head - recognised me, ran up and down the platform after me, jumped on the train after me, and then started some aggressive talk, then got off the train.

"She was like, 'Who do you think you are?' That was the extent of the high drama. I didn't know what to do."

The public reaction to Mahon may only get worse, as his character is set to become embroiled in a tense New Year storyline.