WALFORD residents are getting ready to welcome the new year after a drama-packed Christmas.
But EastEnders viewers can trust the BBC One soap to start off 2023 with a bang… and a deadly mishap.
Albert Square residents won’t be spared from any drama this week
The Slaters celebrate the New Year with a huge party
But some fan favourites will struggle for dear life
1. Gassing horror in the Square
Christmas in the Square was rocked by Mick Carter’s sudden disappearance at sea after the Vic landlord found out all about Janine Butcher’s lies… which landed her in plenty of trouble with the law.
While many may still be reeling from his departure and supposed death, other residents are ready for a fresh start as 2023 looms.
But life in Walford is always full of surprises – this time, the Slaters will be the ones to get a painful reminder of how dangerous it can even be.
Coming up, the entire family makes an evening out of it and their NYE party is in full swing.
However, Jean Slater (played by Gillian Wright) is in her bedroom, far from ready to celebrate.
Instead, the cleaner is fretting about Harvey Monroe (Ross Boatman) getting cold feet and standing her up.
The pair are slowly rekindling their romance, months after Jean’s manic episode led her straight to hospital.
Speaking of matters of the heart, Eve Unwin (Heather Peace) is shaken to see her love interest Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal) with husband Nish (Navin Chowdhry).
The pair arrive with a bottle of whisky for her and, despite her hard feelings, Eve encourages them to stay and sets about befriending Nish.
Meanwhile, Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) comes down and spots Harvey showing Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier) a ring-sized box.
Jean, remembering her past engagement with the cabbie, panics and believes he may be about to pop the question.
But Stacey is worried she could accept Harvey’s proposal – are they right about Harvey’s intentions?
The clock slowly counts down to midnight and Nish is trying to find Suki.
However, before he can, Eve causes everybody a fright by collapsing.
Jean faints in Harvey’s arms – prompting him to take action
2. Harvey is in danger
Matters go from bad to worse when it’s clear she’s not the only one suffering.
Lily Slater (Lillia Turner) rushes off to be sick just as Jean faints in Harvey’s arms.
Bobby Beale alerts them that Lily has collapsed in the hallway and the paramedics arrive with a shocking statement.
They tell everyone to evacuate the house immediately – it’s a carbon monoxide leak.
Stacey is worried sick and sits at her daughter’s bedside in the hospital.
Harvey is having none of it, well aware that Nish could be responsible for the gas leak.
But when he decides to take a stand, could Harvey be biting off more than he can chew?
Following the leak, it’s revealed it was all caused by the boiler.
Nish slowly panics, fearing the Slater clan could sue him for the boiler after speaking to a cagey Eve.
Harvey later lets his anger out in the open.
He calls Nish out for trying to throw his money around to deflect attention from the incident after the gangster tries to make a gesture of good will.
Terrified to face a lawsuit, Nish first tries to make a deal with Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) over the Arches – only to find out it’s off.
But instead of retaliating, Suki recommends he plays nice with the Mitchells.
Harvey rages that Nish is responsible for the Slaters’ problems and publicly humiliates him.
An enraged Nish later rants about Harvey just as Suki takes a call from the Health and Safety Investigator.
The pair soon find out who is at fault for the boiler.
Jean and Harvey enjoy a cosy chat together when the Panesars barge in.
What will Nish do?
Kat is on edge due to Phil’s problems with the law
3. Kat struggles to cope
Elsewhere in the Square, Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) is happy to see the New Year begin at Peggy’s with his family.
Unfortunately, his good mood is cut short and he ends up delivering a serious threat.
In later scenes, Phil hosts a celebratory Mitchell lunch… as others secretly seethe.
The tough man is in good spirits and feels unstoppable.
This encourages him to make a very generous offer – but what will it be?
However, while Phil is on top of the world, Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) is far from pleased and confides in her former husband Alfie Moon (Shane Richie).
In her eyes, Phil’s many antics have created a big mess for them.
Surprisingly, Alfie sides with Phil, stating he’d want him in his corner if he was ever in trouble.
Is Kat at the end of her tether?
Can Billy Mitchell get out of trouble?
4. Billy makes a decision
Much like Phil, Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) has a lot on his mind.
The market trader was accused of murder and risks a life sentence behind bars for his supposed crime.
This week, however, Billy is at Peggy’s when Phil tells him something he wasn’t expecting.
But when Phil becomes desperate and is forced into getting help from one of his nemeses, Billy faces up to reality and makes a big decision.
Will Whitney and Zack become an item?
5. Whitney gets a shock
Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) recently found out she was pregnant with Zack Hudson’s baby.
And after rejecting any romantic potential with Whitney, the chef (James Farrar) appears to be ready to commit more to her.
In upcoming scenes of the long-running soap, Zack melts Whitney’s heart with a kind gesture and offers to cook her dinner.
Whitney is impressed by his skills in the kitchen and the pair grow even closer still when he gives her a foot massage.
But their sweet moment is interrupted by Chelsea Fox and Felix Baker.
However, the pair of them jump on the opportunity to tell Zack to go for it when Whitney leaves the room to get changed.
Will he take their advice?
That remains to be seen but Chelsea has the same advice for her friend Whitney in later scenes taking place at local wine bar Peggy’s.
Whitney is seemingly less shy about making a move on Zack but when she goes to speak to him, he reveals he’s been offered the job of a lifetime.
How will Whitney react?
EastEnders airs from Monday to Thursday on BBC One.
