AFTER an emotional funeral, Albert Square residents are getting ready to celebrate four weddings.
But could a shock return jeopardise Elaine Peacock’s entire relationship? Get the lowdown on this week’s EastEnders drama.
Elaine makes a decision about her nuptials
She tries to help other brides-to-be
1. Massive love rivalry
George Knight (played by Colin Salmon) proposed to Elaine (Harriet Thorpe) in The Queen Vic.
Despite her daughter Linda Carter’s misgivings, the pub landlady agreed to marry her beau.
But unbeknownst to her and George himself, Rose Knight aka Cindy Beale is getting ready to come back to Albert Square after her former cellmate – the main reason why she went into hiding – had died.
Nine years have gone by since George last saw his wife Rose, an alias for Cindy.
Upon his arrival in Albert Square, it was revealed that Rose walked out on George, leaving him to raise their daughters Anna and Gina alone.
In recent scenes of the BBC One soap, George was told by Phil Mitchell that Rose wasn’t who she said she was.
The news came as a shock to his daughter Anna (Molly Rainford) who was sworn to secrecy but Elaine ultimately decided Gina (Francesca Henry) had every right to know.
Gina almost spiralled out of control and in scenes airing next week, both sisters are clearly still reeling.
Elaine asks the Knight girls to be her bridesmaids, but they aren’t keen.
George advises her not to push it with them, and downbeat Elaine confides in Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) about her disappointment.
After a pep talk from Kathy, Elaine decides to take the pressure off everyone by delaying her wedding plans.
But with Cindy due to come back to Walford after 25 years, could Elaine have to fight her for George?
Or is Cindy truly committed to Ian Beale, as she has claimed?
What news will Chelsea receive from Gray?
2. Killer return
Speaking of returns, Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams) gets a massive shock this week.
Life in Albert Square was forever changed when Gray Atkins was finally arrested for his vile crimes in March, 2022.
The criminal and solicitor was on a murderous warpath after killing his own wife Chantelle, who was also the victim of domestic violence behind closed doors.
Since his arrest, Chelsea has adapted to a new life at No.1, allowing Whitney, Felix and Finlay Baker to move in with her.
Whitney, who has also had her share of Gray drama, has also moved on and allowed love into her life in the form of Zack Hudson (James Farrar).
The market trader takes her relationship to the next level when she asks Zack to move in with her into No.1.
Coming up, Whitney prepares to throw a moving in party for Zack.
But news from Gray reach the Square in a letter, distracting and perturbing Chelsea.
Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara), who is determined to get back into her good books after more petty antics, tries to offer a shoulder to cry on – but she dismisses his efforts.
Could Gray be determined to get back into his children’s lives from prison?
With actor Toby-Alexander Smith set for a new role, it’s unlikely Gray will be returning to our screens soon but could he demand Chelsea brings him his three children for a visit?
Have Yolande and Patrick fixed their relationship?
3. New couple alert
Another comeback will undoubtedly leave fans with their jaws dropped this week as Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker) comes back to the Square.
But upon his return, the fan favourite is shocked to see how shaken some of his nearest and dearest are due to recent events.
While Kim Fox (Tameka Empson) is suffering from panic attacks following her car crash, her sister Denise (Diane Parish) is bending over backwards to make her marriage work after it was left hanging by a thread by an infidelity on her part.
Patrick tries to help – but will he manage to fix everything?
Regular viewers of the London-based program will remember that Patrick left Walford to go after his former wife Yolande.
Could the couple have reconciled?
One thing is certain – Yolande will be returning to Albert Square for Patrick in upcoming EastEnders scenes.
And viewers already have a plan for her.
“I low-key want Yolande to help Kim overcome her PTSD and pull the Fox/Trueman family back together as a strong family unit also can she punch Nish and take back the Minute Mart?”
But before she can find her mark again, will she give her romance with Patrick another shot?
Could Lily’s pregnancy be taking a turn?
4. Pregnancy turns dangerous
Meanwhile, Lily Slater’s (Lillia Turner) pregnancy takes a turn.
Stacey (Lacey Turner) and Martin Fowler (James Bye) both fret about their daughter Lily ahead of a family conference as the young girl admits she isn’t feeling well.
This prompts Martin to ask Walford nurse Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) to examine Lily and she finds the youngster has got high blood pressure.
Later, the midwife signs dismayed Lily off school until she’s given birth.
Martin tries to reassure Lily that things will be ok, but she’s worried about missing out on school work and being bored at home.
But in later scenes, Lily feels increasingly side-lined and irritated when her parents jump in to discuss the primary care for the baby during the family conference.
Jack Branning’s (Scott Maslen) comments don’t help the already tense situation.
But when Lily is taken to hospital in later scenes, could it be due to complications triggered by her pregnancy?
What is Theo hiding?
5. Newcomer’s shock past
While the Slaters remain concerned for Lily’s well-being, they’ve found support in the form of Theo Hawthorne (William Ellis) who they met after Freddie Slater confronted him about his past behaviour.
Martin is adamant there’s more to Theo than meets the eye and he begins to dig for information via Freddie (Bobby Brazier).
He’s deeply concerned when Lily lets slip that Theo bought trainers for her and confronts Stacey, who tells him to back off.
Undeterred, Martin heads to Theo’s old school and learns the reasons he left – what could they be?
Fans of the soap have been suspicious of Theo from the get-go and after speculating he could be Stacey’s Secret Cam client, many believe he may have a connection with Lily’s father Ryan Malloy.
“Hmmm, I’m starting to think Theo has a connection to Ryan. I might be wrong”, one viewer commented on Twitter.
Ryan briefly returned to the Square earlier this year with the firm intention of getting Lily to live with him.
Could Theo be of help?
EastEnders airs from Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://hellofaread.com/soap-opera/five-huge-itv-coronation-street-theories-heartbreaking-death-and-new-killer-on-the-loose/
