ONE Walford resident is facing the music after getting some life-changing news.
But a face from their past comes back to haunt them this week. Get the lowdown on all the EastEnders drama.
Zack Hudson gets ready for fatherhood
But an old friend arrives in the Square
And he has a shocking announcement to make
How will Zack cope amid Whitney’s surprise pregnancy?
1. Zack faces an old friend
Fatherhood is an adjustment Zack Hudson (played by James Farrar) is ready to embrace, despite some initial hesitation.
However, he drops a bombshell on Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) when he tells her he’s been offered a cruise ship job, the opportunity of a lifetime.
While he’s ready to step up to the plate, Zack is less than happy about leaving Whitney and their child alone in Albert Square.
But he’s aware he may have no other choice but to accept the job for financial reasons.
Coming up on BBC One, Zack checks with Whitney that she’s happy for him to take the job and, thinking it’s what he wants, she tells him to go for it.
Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams) soon gets involved and, collaring Zack, she tells him that Whit doesn’t actually want him to leave.
Zack is initially angry, feeling pressured by Chelsea as he’s only willing to take the job for the heaps of money they’ll need for the baby.
He soon cools down and turns down the offer.
Whitney and Zack are thrilled to be on the same page… but their happiness is short-lived when the hunk spots an old acquaintance named Brett (former Hollyoaks star Fabrizio Santino).
The newcomer’s presence only rattles him further when Zack is on a mission to convince Ravi to give him the Head Chef role and a pay rise at Walford East.
Things go from bad to worse for him when he finds out his sister Sharon Watts is considering Brett for a PT job at Crunch Time.
In later scenes, things come to a head as Zack tries to scare Brett into leaving Walford during a heated confrontation.
But Brett has bad news for Zack and his world is turned upside down again in an instant.
Blissfully unaware, Whitney is happy to hear Zack convinced Ravi to give him a second chance but she’s worried by his lack of enthusiasm about the ultrasound.
She’s even more concerned when a broken Zack goes to the club to drown his sorrows.
The evening ends terribly for the pair as Zack ends up in a drunken row with Whitney.
Zack says something he could regret – how will Whitney react?
Jack is also facing some trouble of his own
2. Jack spirals out of control
Meanwhile, Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) is crumbling under pressure and tries desperately to keep himself together.
The copper has had his hands full with his daughter Amy, who went through her own mental health crisis.
Due to this, he argues with his son Ricky Junior in upcoming scenes.
The lad accuses Jack of only being interested in Amy and her dramas.
To make matters worse, Jack is making his bride Denise Fox (Diane Parish) feel neglected.
The hair salon owner is determined to bring the spark back in their marriage but her plan quickly goes south.
When he finds himself in the doghouse with Denise, Jack comes up with a plan and offers to take her out for the day.
However, Amy is up to no good and she invites Denzel Danes to the empty house.
She’s furious when the latter shows up with Nugget Gulati who has swiped a bottle of vodka from Suki Panesar’s Minute Mart.
The children act out and when Ravi Gulati is confronted over his son’s theft, the boys are found drunk with Ricky Junior throwing up at No.27.
Ravi lays down the law and helps cleaning things up when Jack and Denise return.
A livid Jack lashes out at everyone, including Denise.
Denise is desperate to reignite the spark in her marriage
3. Denise kisses another man
While Jack struggles, Denise is desperate to put the spark back into her marriage.
In an attempt to seduce Jack, she gets a makeover from Lola on her first day back.
Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) later spots Denise when she books a table for two at Walford East and is impressed by her new appearance.
Denise welcomes Jack home and he suggests they make the most of a kid-free house… but not everything goes according to plan.
After planning a day out together, and as mentioned above, the couple see their plans turned on their head when the children plan another reckless antic.
Ravi escapes to pay the Panesars back, and Denise shows up to thank him.
Denise’s praise of Ravi immediately silences critical Nish and Suki.
In later scenes, Ravi is thankful for Denise having his back, and they bond over the perils of parenting.
Denzel bunks off with Amy so he can talk to her and he begs her to get help.
When the adults hear they’ve skipped school, there’s a row which ends with Amy accusing Denise of not caring about her.
Jack only makes matters worse by letting his anguish get the best of him as he snaps at his wife again.
Unable to catch a break from all the hostility, Denise is furious and heads to Peggy’s alone.
Ravi spots her drowning her sorrows and lends her a shoulder to cry on.
But after a flirty evening, things take a turn when Ravi goes in for a kiss.
Could the pair embark on an affair?
Harvey tries to help the Slaters with their money issues
4. One family is left homeless
Elsewhere in Albert Square, money is becoming an issue for one family living in Albert Square.
After a troubled year, the Slaters decided to start 2023 with a party but a gas leak turned their evening of celebration into a nightmare.
This triggers a conflict with their villainous landlord, Nish Panesar as he decides to put their rent up.
As a result, the Slater family grow increasingly worried they could end up on the streets of Walford, unable to afford their own home.
Stacey Slater (portrayed by Lacey Turner) heads to work and rants at Eve Unwin (Heather Peace) about the Panesars raising their rent.
Matters go from bad to worse for the businesswoman when her bap van breaks down.
Stacey is worried – how much will she have to pay to get it fixed?
Will she recover from the expense?
Doubts cloud Stacey’s mind and, in later scenes, her daughter Lily (Lillia Turner) overhears her telling Jean (Gillian Wright) that she’s not sure how they’ll get through this.
Viewers will remember that the 12-year-old is also pregnant.
Later on, Jean celebrates her 60th birthday but she bans Stacey from throwing a party.
The cleaner is just as worried about their finances and refuses to host a gathering they can’t afford.
Luckily for them, however, help could be on the way in the form of Harvey Monroe (Ross Boatman).
When he accompanies Jean to work, the local cabbie hits on an idea to solve all the Slaters’ money problems.
But will they go for it?
Lola is living her life to the fullest despite her illness
5. Lola makes huge announcement
Determined not to let her brain tumour diagnosis dictate her life, Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold) is heading back to work at the salon.
This week, however, she has some other news to break to her nearest and dearest.
Jay Brown and Billy Mitchell (respectively played by Jamie Borthwick and Perry Fenwick) are both worried for Lola’s wellbeing.
But Lola is exasperated of Jay and Billy fussing over her going back to work.
She says she wants to enjoy everything while she still can.
This gives Jay an idea and, soon, the loved-up couple make a huge decision.
In later scenes, Lola invites the family for a meal where Billy, Ben (Max Bowden) and Callum (Tony Clay) all brace themselves for a terrible announcement.
Yet Jay and Lola take great delight in sharing their plans.
What will they announce?
EastEnders continues on BBC One.
