As EastEnders viewers prepared to welcome back the Mitchell Princess, Sam (Kim Medcalf), last year, they were probably expecting another does of her patented blend of sex, criminal capers and shoddy parenting.

Even with the pre-return announcement that Sam’s return would involve a cancer plot, the shock of the perennially devilish diva returning as a frightened, vulnerable shell of her former self was a shock.

While she initially took her typically chaotic approach to things, cruelly manipulating the dementia suffering-Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) and stealing the contents of big brother, Phil’s (Steve McFadden) safe, it was in the presence of her son, Ricky Branning (Frankie Day), that she began to waver.

Young Ricky could tell something was wrong when she told him that she was trying to secure him a nest-egg to help with his future. As she lamented her failings as a mother, Ricky was left unnerved.

Confronted by baby daddy Jack (Scott Maslen) and Phil, Sam’s front faltered, and it became incredibly apparent how terrified she truly was that she’d lose her life to the same illness that claimed her beloved mum, Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor).

With the support of Phil, Jack and various other Walford residents, Sam found the courage to fight back. Once officially diagnosed with breast cancer, she received a date for her lumpectomy and told Ricky the truth about her condition.

Sam faced an agonising wait for her results, but they came, and in the middle of a verbal catfight with frenemy and former co-conspirator, Chrissie Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman), she revealed that she was cancer free.

As she faced a return to Portugal to begin a gruelling course of radiotherapy, she learned from Lily Slater (Lillia Turner) that Ricky desperately wanted her to stay and Sam had a moment to take everything in.

A character always defined by her utter selfishness and single-minded focus on herself had grown to become a loving, dependable mum, a supportive sister and a confidante to Zack Hudson (James Farrar), George Knight (Colin Salmon), Julie Bates (Karen Henthorn) and even former enemies like Chrissie, Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) and Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan)…and she decided to stay, beginning her radiotherapy treatment, leaning on Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) as it took both a physical and emotional toll on her.

Next week sees her resume her role as support system for Zack, as he struggles with the upcoming wedding between Ross Marshall (Alex Walkinshaw) and Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig), with whom he’s been fighting a growing attraction.

As the respective stag and hen parties begin, Zack opens his heart to Sam, and tells her of his recent tryst with Vicki, as well as the undeniable connection between them, moments before he’s forced to act as a stripper for her…

The following day, Zack lays it on the line for Vicki, who rejects him. He heads to Harry’s Barn to sink a few drinks before he’s joined by Sam. As the two engage in another heart to heart, she reveals that further tests have shown that she remains all clear for cancer.

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That’s right. She faced it, fought it and won. That’s our girl.

MORE: EastEnders legend stages return as Sam Mitchell opens up on cancer treatment

Martin Fowler (James Bye) was a stalwart of EastEnders, and his death rocked the lives of nearly every Albert Square resident.

Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), Martin’s true love with whom he’d reconciled moments before his demise was utterly broken; the loss of Martin eventually seeing her own departure from the Square.

Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) was forced to deliver the heart breaking news to Bex Fowler (Jasmine Armfield), the daughter she shared with Martin, while dealing with her own grief over losing her childhood sweetheart.

Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton), a character intrinsically linked with both Martin and Stacey also left Walford amid her grief, while Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) took an extended leave of absence, heading to Australia to support her grieving friend Michelle Fowler (Jenna Russell).

The loss of Martin was seismic, with residents gathering in Harry’s Barn to celebrate his life, mourning the death of a beloved EastEnders legend.

Speaking at the time of his alter-ego’s death, James said: ‘Saying goodbye is not easy, but after 10 years at EastEnders and on the night of the show’s epic 40th anniversary – the time felt right.

‘It’s an honour to leave on a story of this magnitude. A huge thank you to all the fans of the show – EastEnders wouldn’t be what it is without you – and to the BBC and EastEnders team for trusting me with this role for so many years.

‘This fruit and veg man will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s time to look forward, and I’m incredibly excited for what the future holds. RIP Martin Fowler.’

With Martin gone, a remnant of him does linger in Walford: his old shed, which Ross Marshall (Alex Walkinshaw) and Harvey Monroe (Ross Boatman) have big plans for: they want to turn it into a man cave.

Both previously formed a foursome alongside Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) and Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) who vowed to provide a safe space to talk and now, Ross and Harvey plan to make that space tangible, but they need the key from Jean Slater (Gillian Wright).

When Ross and Harvey tell Zack Hudson (James Farrar) of their plan, he’s initially reticent, believing that it’s disrespectful to Martin’s memory.

When he talks to Barney Mitchell (Lewis Bridgeman), though, his son helps him to realise that Martin himself would’ve been fully behind the idea.

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Zack approaches Jean and tells her of the groups plans for the shed and puts his all into persuading her that it’s a good idea.

The only problem? Jean turns around to find Ross and Harvey trying to steal the key.

As the shed renovation begins, Ross begins to open up, leading to the groups next issue…

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Patrick Trueman’s (Rudolph Walker) life in EastEnders has been hellish since the Christmas Day murder of his son, Anthony (Nicholas Bailey).

Prior to his violent death, Patrick and Anthony spit venom at each other over Christmas dinner after Patrick discovered that Anthony had lied to Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) that his and Zoe Slater’s (Michelle Ryan) twins had both died at birth, in a bid to find them himself without Zoe discovering.

As things continued to intensify, an enraged Patrick declared that the wrong son had died prior, and he wished Anthony had perished in the place of his brother, Paul (Gary Beadle). With things at their absolute worst, Anthony headed to the Vic for what proved to be his final showdown with Zoe and his daughter, Jasmine Fisher (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness).

Zoe and Kat were convinced that the culprit was Chrissie Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman), and that she’d struck the killing blow to frame Zoe, who kept her mouth shut in order to protect Jasmine from the wrath of the wicked witch of Walford.

While Zoe languished in prison, Anthony struck up a relationship with Jasmine upon discovering that she was his granddaughter, seemingly finding a light amid all of the darkness he’d endured, though he was broken all over again when he discovered that she had killed Anthony.

Struggling to grieve, his beloved wife Yolande (Angela Wynter) and surrogate daughters Kim and Denise Fox (Tameka Empson and Diane Parish) worried further when a well-meaning Denzel Danes (Jaden Ladega) introduced Patrick to an AI recreation of Anthony.

Patrick became completely absorbed by the app, and was reluctant to disengage.

He did mange to pour his all into attempting to reunite a recently returned Howie Danes (Delroy Atkinson) with Kim, though, facilitating a lavish drag performance and reconciliation between the two.

Next week sees the arrival of Sandra Goodwin (Dawn Steele), piquing Kim and Denise’s interest when they learn that she’s been asking questions about Jasmine. Confronting her, they learn that she’s the adoptive mum of Josh Goodwin (Joshua Vaughan), though as they learn more about Jasmine and Josh’s backstory, all three are shaken to learn that Josh has arrived in Walford.

Josh, Sandra, Denise and Kim share a drink in the Albert, though the mention of Zoe causes Josh to flee, unwilling to have anything to do with her. When Denise relays this to Patrick, he’s wounded all over again that he’s lost the opportunity to connect with his grandson.

Denise and Kim encourage Patrick to write Josh a letter, detailing his life story, and later deliver it to Sandra. The Trueman’s are buoyed when Josh returns to Albert Square to arrange a meeting the following week.

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Will forging a bond with Josh set Patrick on the road to finding peace after Anthony’s death?

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Families on the brink of collapse, mended hearts set to break again, long-lost relatives, sinister schemes and an unsettling undercurrent of organised crime? Yup, it’s another week of EastEnders spoilers.

It’s a week of prime Maxxing for Max Branning (Jake Wood), as he finds himself in, out and in again with both daughter Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) and baby mama/potential love interest/who knows what Linda Carter (Kellie Bright).

As things seem to finally come together, can Max manage to not destroy all of the progress he’s made?

Meanwhile, the emergence of Josh Goodwin (Joshua Vaughan) and Sandra Goodwin (Dawn Steele) sends the Trueman family into a spin.

Can Kim and Denise Fox (Tameka Empson and Diane Parish) bring Josh and grandad Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker) together?

Elsewhere, Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) is creeped out by an increasingly sinister Bea Pollard (Ronni Ancona), Suki Panesar-Unwin (Balvinder Sopal) reacts horrifically to Vinny Panesar (Shiv Jalota) and Penny Branning’s (Kitty Castledine) baby news, while Mark Fowler Jr’s (Stephen Aaron-Sipple) criminal operations infiltrate the Square.

Consider the tea spilled…

Monday, March 16

Albert Square celebrates an Mother’s Day, in a fashion. When Lauren invites Max to lunch with the Beale/Branning faction, tensions bubble, and he finds himself squarely at odds with his family.

Later, Lauren makes a deal with Mark to sell high-end cars, supplied by him, completely unaware of his dodgy intentions.

Linda’s Mother’s Day goes from bad to worse after Johnny Carter (Charlie Suff) maintains his distance from her, and Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) and Bea clash over money in the Vic.

As Linda ends up in a bitter clash with an irked Max, Bea heads home and fraudulently applies for a credit card in Honey Mitchell’s (Emma Barton) name.

Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) arrives back in Walford, but it’s clear there is still friction between her and Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) over Jasmine Fisher (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness).

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Jean overhears Zoe on an emotional call with Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace), and after some encouragement from Alfie Moon (Shane Richie), decides to offer an olive branch to Zoe and the pair finally put aside their differences.

Tuesday, March 17

Denise and Kim join forces to confront a newcomer named Sandra, who’s snooping for information about Jasmine, but are floored to realise that she’s the adoptive mum of Jasmine’s twin, Josh. They’re even further gagged to find out that Josh is on Albert Square, looking for his mum.

Lauren is chuffed to shift one of Mark’s luxury cars, but Max is perturbed by the provided paperwork.

Lauren is shaken to discover the car involved in her mugging has been located, and the scales fall from her eyes as he continues to tell her that expensive cars in the local area have started being stolen. Rattled, she heads off to confront Mark.

Meanwhile, Billy, Will (Freddie Phillips) and Janet Mitchell (Grace) arrive home to find Bea has annihilated their food supply. Embarrassed, Bea lands a job at McClunky’s before her fraudulent credit card arrives.

While Vinny struggles to tell his mum, Suki, about Penny’s pregnancy, but is beaten to the punch by Jack Branning (Scott Maslen).

Wednesday, March 18

When Denise drops that Zoe is close by, Josh flees the Square, unwilling to have anything to do with his birth mum, forcing her and Kim to relay the news to Patrick.

Feeling as though he’s lost any chance of connecting with his long lost grandson, the door is left ajar when Sandra reaches out to Kim and arranges a meeting between them and Josh.

Lauren is utterly crestfallen when she and Peter Beale (Thomas Law) meet the mother of a baby who’s also visually impaired and learns of the astronomical cost of specialist nursery. With few options, they both turn to their families for money.

Elsewhere, Billy’s chilled to the bone over Bea’s obsession with his family and Suki faces off with both Penny and Vinny over their pregnancy.

Thursday, March 19

After a week of conflict between her, Vinny and Suki, Penny makes it clear to the grandma of her child: Penny and Vinny will be having their baby, whether she likes it or not.

In response to Max making effort to make things right with her, Linda invites him to spend the day with her and Annie (Lois Hawkins).

She’s emboldened further later on when he stands up for her when Johnny coldly dismisses her. Deeply heartened, she heads to The Albert to find him, but is utterly floored by what she finds.

With Denise and Kim’s encouragement, Patrick writes a letter for Josh, and, with Sandra’s encouragement, Josh reads it, later returning to Walford to plan a meeting between himself and the Trueman family. As Denise and Kim revel in delight, Josh’s attention is piqued when he locks eyes with Oscar.

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Former EastEnders star Danielle Harold has ruled out joining another soap after leaving the genre.

The actress, who is 33, played the role of Lola Pearce between the years of 2011 and 2023.

Granddaughter to Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick), Lola was a bit of a troublemaker growing up, and was never afraid to speak her mind.

The young woman became pregnant in 2012 with Ben Mitchell’s (eventually played by Max Bowden) baby. She gave birth to Lexi in the soap’s live episode in the same year.

Lola left Albert Square in Newcastle to stay with her friend Dexter. Her relationship with Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) had broken down due to his involvement in Lucy Beale’s murder investigation.

In 2019, Lola moved back to London with Lexi and Ben. As she got settled back into Albert Square life, Lola reunited with Jay.

It was in 2022 that everything changed for Lola, as she was given a brain tumour diagnosis. She was eventually told the tumour was incurable, so Lola tried to make every single day count while her health was deteriorating.

Lola died in 2023, with Jay and Lexi beside her. The storyline was hugely powerful but also incredibly intense. Recently, star Danielle Harold reflected on her EastEnders journey, and how she enjoyed taking a small break once she said goodbye to Lola.

‘I took a little minute after I left EastEnders. I did the jungle, which was so much fun as well. I just took a little break because the storyline was so heavy and, obviously, I’ve played that character for such a long time’.

Adding to her chat with The Sun, Danielle confirmed that she’s now ‘kind of getting back to auditions’.

The actress also revealed that she’d be interested in exploring the world of documentaries and TV series rather than venturing back into soapland.

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‘I feel like everything’s changed, the whole industry’s changed, so it’s crazy. I’ve always said I’d love to do a series, where you get the whole story in one.

‘Because obviously when you film EastEnders, you never know where the story’s going, so I’d love to do something like that. And I’d also love to do a documentary, actually, something a bit different I’d love to do.’

She added: ‘It’s not that [I’m too loyal to EastEnders]. It’s just more, it’s so hard work. Soap is…actors in soap, oh my gosh, take my hat off. Like, it’s such a hard job. And, yeah, I like the freedom a little bit of being able to move from job to job.’

Since leaving EastEnders, Danielle has appeared on our screens in ITV’s I’m A Celebrity, and Celebrity Hunted.

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EastEnders has delivered a masterclass episode focusing on Nigel Bates’s (Paul Bradley) heartbreaking storyline, serving up all the ingredients to showcase what the BBC soap does best.

This is an era that’s seen some viewer frustration, with Zoe Slater’s (Michelle Ryan) storylines running on a continuous loop and Callum Highway’s (Tony Clay) decision to dump absent husband Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) for Johnny Carter (Charlie Suff) proving very unpopular with fans of ‘Ballum’.

But, despite recent faults, EastEnders is still the show we know and love, and we couldn’t have had a more powerful reminder.

Life changed forever for Nigel, wife Julie (Karen Henthorn) and best pal Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) as his loved ones prepared for him to move into a care home amid the worsening of his dementia symptoms.

Lexi Pearce (Isabella Brown) was on hand to help Nigel’s beloved stepdaughter Clare Bates (Gemma Bissix) bring him back to The Queen Vic for one last drink.

From then on, we saw just about every aspect of the genre brought to the forefront – and expertly so.

It was easy to identify both with Julie’s panic and an exhausted Phil’s calm, dissociated exterior when they realised Nigel had left the hospital.

I smiled as our favourite barmaid Tracey (Jane Slaughter), fondly recalled introducing Nigel to first wife Debbie (Nicola Duffett), and laughed as Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) entertained the locals with the classic tale of a hungover Nigel and Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen) waking up in a field and wrongly believing they were in France.

While the likes of Harvey Monroe (Ross Boatman) only know the Nigel of recent times, the crowded community spirit didn’t feel forced because he’s always been a man of the people, and newest friend Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter) was there to keep things in order.

When Oscar Branning (Pierre Counihan-Moullier) took the opportunity to try his luck with Clare, there was the added bonus of revisiting old times, as she turned him down with an epic retort that brilliantly matched up to her last memorable stint.

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But amid the fanfare, my heart broke for Clare as she mourned Nigel being unable to recognise her; only to cry happy tears when he briefly acknowledged her, thanks to Julie’s recollections of their shared past.

EastEnders has a seamless knack for pulling off major returns for the right reasons and at the right time. Nigel’s journey would have been incomplete without an appearance from Clare, so to have her back to share that special moment, bookended by her moving gratitude towards Julie after so much animosity, was perfect and Gemma’s touching performance ensured our hearts were with her alter ego.

It was a harrowing watch as Phil and Clare accompanied Nigel to his new home, where, in his confusion and distress, he angrily lashed out. Steve and Karen shone as Phil and Julie wept separately over how Nigel’s illness had changed him.

Almost a year on from Phil’s decision to be with Nigel to the end, the reality of carer burnout was laid bare and he sadly walked away.

This episode was never going to have a happy conclusion, but without doubt it delivered on enduring love – something we trust Phil won’t let go of despite his latest painful move.

From Phil’s conflicted demeanour, to the stripping away of Clare’s hardened attitude, giving way to that vulnerable little girl who once made Nigel her chosen family, this was character-driven drama at its finest.

Then there was Lexi’s faltering smile after she waved Nigel off and retreated into her shell in scenes superbly portrayed by Isabella, the gravity of the situation and that reminder of her mum hitting home.

The instalment was filled with rich history of that calibre.

It was there in the silence when we knew Lexi must have been thinking of Lola (Danielle Harold), in Tracey’s assuring presence as she dutifully held onto every memory and story, and in the way Clare’s friendship with Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams) was not forgotten.

Nigel’s gradual transformation has been commendably played by Paul, and the soap took great care in impressing upon us that no matter what dementia takes from him, the real Nigel will always be the sweet, gentle soul who could also get away with putting Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) in his place.

Those references to Grant, made by Nigel in the depths of his illness, paved the way rather well for Ross’s imminent comeback to the role, and we already know Grant will be involved as we move towards Nigel’s final chapter.

As turbulent and emotional as this standalone edition was to watch, EastEnders hit every note that serial drama is famous for by leaning on its past, on ensemble players and intertwining the darkness with warmth and humour.

Playing to its strengths, the soap has proved that, whatever your stance on certain plot twists, it can still fire on all cylinders.

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After almost 18 years away from EastEnders, Clare returns to find her stepdad Nigel battling advanced dementia, and she’s left absolutely shattered by what she sees. But alongside the heartbreak is something else: a lingering feeling that she’s been brought back too late.

Clare arrives after just hearing about Nigel’s condition for the first time. The man she once adored barely recognises her, and the opportunity she’s clearly been holding onto for years, to say sorry, to make things right, feels like it’s slipped through her fingers.

And in Clare’s mind, that timing doesn’t feel accidental.

As Gemma Bissix explains: ‘Clare has always wanted to come back and see him, and when she does find out he’s got dementia, I don’t think she realises how advanced it is. Clare feels like Julie has done it to get back at her; she feels like Julie has only called her at this late stage as a punishment. In Clare’s mind, it does feel quite cruel because I think Clare really wanted the chance to apologise to her dad.’

Clare and Nigel have been estranged for years, and that distance weighs heavily on her. The last time viewers saw her, she was causing chaos and leaving a trail of destruction behind her. But beneath the bravado, there’s always been something much sadder driving her behaviour.

‘The last time we saw her in the show, she was a bit of a maneater, and a bit more of a con artist, and those actions probably came from her inner trauma, and having no one to discipline her because her mum died when she was young, and when Nigel met Julie, I think Clare felt really pushed out. All Clare wants is the love of her dad, and she can see that she might not have that again, and she’s missed her opportunity, so it’s really heartbreaking for her.’

It’s that sense of missed opportunity that makes her return so painful to watch. Clare isn’t just facing Nigel’s illness; she’s confronting years of regret.

Of course, there’s tension with Julie. Old wounds don’t magically disappear. But with Nigel’s health deteriorating so rapidly, both women are forced to reassess what really matters. Any bitterness has to take a back seat.

There is, however, an unexpected source of comfort.

Clare initially clashes with Lexi, dismissing her as an interfering kid. But that quickly changes. As Gemma reveals: ‘On first impression, she thinks Lexi is a bit of an interfering child, but later they bond, and Clare realises that they were the same age when they both lost their mum, and I think there’s a really poignant connection between them both. It’s a link that has happened organically which is the beauty with long-running shows like EastEnders.’

Lexi makes her feel understood, and in a time and a place where she feels so alienated by Julie, and so detached from Nigel.’

‘It’s healing that Clare sees the love that Nigel had for Lexi, and when he mistakes Lexi for Clare, it gives her comfort as it reminds her how much Nigel did love Clare when they were young.’

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It’s a beautifully full-circle moment. In the middle of heartbreak, Clare finds connection and a reminder that she was loved, even if things fell apart later.

Behind the scenes, the return has clearly meant just as much to Gemma as it does to fans.

‘It was a long time coming, and I was just so chuffed because I haven’t seen Paul Bradley in over 20 years and so to be able to reconnect with him and work with him again felt like time had stood still. It was like no time had passed at all, and Paul is exactly the same lovely person he was before. Nigel’s dementia is portrayed as devastatingly real, something that resonates with so many families watching at home.’

The big question now is what happens next. With Nigel’s condition worsening, and emotions running high between Clare and Julie, difficult decisions lie ahead about his future care.

But for Clare, the damage already feels done.

She’s back. She’s facing the past. But she may have arrived just a little too late.

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EastEnders’ Johnny Carter (Charlie Suff) once thought Tim Walton (Tom Ratcliffe) was sent from above when he invested into his fledgling business, but his recent actions have shown he likely originated quite a bit south of Heaven. Like, seriously south.

After Johnny shot himself in the foot by sending his plans to open a new law firm to his current boss and was given the sack, his beloved grandma, Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe), encouraged him to plough on and fulfil his dream of running his own practice.

So that he did, with the support of boyfriend, Callum Highway (Tony Clay), he arranged a meeting with an old university friend who had interest in giving the start-up a cash injection.

Callum’s support started to shudder, though, when the friend arrived in Walford for a drink with Johnny and his loved ones. Tim’s Tom Read Wilson-esque voice, propensity for chugging champagne and very clear attraction toward Johnny had his back up immediately, though Tim smarmed his way back out of Albert Square as soon as the deal was done.

And that was that, for a while. Johnny and Callum reverted to normal. Normal being constantly haunted by the spectre of Callum’s ex-husband, Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden), and dealing with raising Lexi Pearce (Isabella Brown), of course.

Until Tim reared his impeccably groomed head again, this time with his eyes set firmly on Callum, rather than Johnny and requested an illegal favour. Needing to besmirch a business competitor, he asked Callum to dig into his rivals official information and provide him with evidence of a criminal record.

Callum, the honourable, noble copper that he is, point blank refused to help, absolutely disgusted with the suggestion, and stormed out. Probably not the best reaction, given that Johnny’s business is on the bones of its backside and needs more money from Tim to survive, is it?

Johnny and Callum argued, of course. The arrival of divorce papers sent by Ben muddying the water even further, though they eventually made up, right before a mystery man handed Callum a piece of paper. Claiming the address scrawled on it held a USB stick that would land Ben another decade behind bars, the stranger implored him to find it and destroy it.

Though Callum initially determines to stay out of it, Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) begs him to take care of the problem, if not for Ben then for Lexi. With the mention of his pseudo daughter, Callum’s mind was made up and he, Kathy and Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) headed off…

…straight into a set up.

With Tim now possessing more than enough ammunition to cost Callum his career and believing it to be enough proof that Callum’s loyalty will always lie with Ben, further cracks appear in Johnny and Callum’s relationship.

Cracks, Johnny believes, that can only be dealt with by Callum officially signing the divorce papers. He does, and with a spot of afternoon loving, Johnny determines to shut Tim down once and for all.

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As Tim appears in Walford, summoned by Johnny, he crosses Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), who was some harsh words for the devious investor, and despite some initial comebacks from Tim, wipes the floor with him verbally.

Finally face to face, Johnny lays his cards on the table and begs Tim to delete the incriminating footage. Tim, though, has other ideas. He will delete the footage, and allow Johnny to keep the investment, as long as Johnny has sex with him.

Johnny’s face drops as the enormity of Tim’s utter sleaziness lands on him like a ton of bricks.

Having promised to deal with the Tim problem, and with his relationship with Callum seemingly on perennially shaky ground, will Johnny accept Tim’s indecent proposal?

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EastEnders spoilers follow for Tuesday’s (February 17) episode which is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

Having put the past to bed once again, Chrissie Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman) and Jake Moon (Joel Beckett) headed out of Walford together, ready for a fresh start.

In scenes reminiscent of their unexpected reunion and subsequent departure in 2024, the couple decided it was high time to look forward instead of back, leaving the Square in their rearview mirror.

Chrissie staged an unexpected return to screens back in December when it was confirmed that she was the mastermind behind the cruel campaign to destroy Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan).

The former Queen Vic landlady was using Jasmine Fisher (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness), who was subsequently revealed to be none other than Zoe’s biological daughter, to torment the Slater legend, still holding a grudge over what happened with Den (Leslie Grantham) two decades prior.

As fans will know, Chrissie served 19 years in prison for the murder of Den. She was released two years ago and used the opportunity to reunite with her former flame Jake, as they rode of the Walford for a new life together.

But Chrissie’s revenge mission against Zoe ultimately drove a wedge between her and Jake, who turned up in the Square earlier this month in search of his ex.

His comeback was a welcomed one for the Slater/Moon clan, given that Jake was long thought to be dead after a brush with Johnny Allen’s thugs in 2006.

But Jake was in for a shock of his own as he discovered that Kat (Jessie Wallace) suspected Chrissie of having murdered Anthony Trueman (Nicholas Bailey) and framing Zoe for the crime. Desperate for answers, he agreed to help track Chrissie down so that they could all finally get closure they needed.

Upon her latest comeback, Chrissie was appalled to learn of the wild accusations being made against her and instead pointed the finger instead at Jasmine who, as viewers know, did actually kill Anthony.

With such a theory going round in her head, Kat lured Jasmine back to Walford and Chrissie wasted little time in making her thoughts known, berating Jasmine for trying to pin the blame for the crime on her.

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But as Kat demanded that she be allowed to deal with the Jasmine situation alone, Chrissie decided it was time to move on once more.

Still feeling betrayed that Jake thought her guilty of Anthony’s murder, the former hairdresser decided to call the police on her beau, planning on spilling the beans about how he murdered his own brother.

Jake, however, had other ideas about how they spend their future as he got down on one knee and proposed. It’s somewhat of a full circle moment given that Jake proposed to Chrissie when she was in prison for Den’s murder two decades ago. At the time, Chrissie told him not to wait for her.

But flash-forward 21 years and Jake was down on his knee. The happy ending they never got was within touching distance.

Chrissie was taken aback by his unexpected move and, after giving it some thought, she accepted his proposal, as they drove out of Walford together once again.

After all they’ve been through, will the future be a happy one for Chrissie and Jake? What’s more, will we ever see them in Walford again?

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer. 

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