EastEnders fans have been left furious following the death of Zoe Slater just over a year after Michelle Ryan's return to the BBC soap. Zoe suffered a painful blow to the head and died in scenes aired this week, with viewers criticising the rushed nature of her final storyline.
Return and Final Storyline
Michelle Ryan appeared on EastEnders in June last year, marking her return after 20 years. Her comeback arrived in Ben Wadey's first episode as the programme's Executive Producer. Viewers had been demanding to see Zoe again for two decades, with her leaving Albert Square for Ibiza in 2005. The character is best known for the famous scene where Kat Slater revealed she was not her sister, but actually her mother.
It soon emerged that Zoe gave birth to twins in 2006, with her on a desperate hunt to try and find them. Assuming that her daughter died after a nurse told her she had 'bad news', Zoe gave her son up for adoption and fled from the hospital. After months of searching, Zoe learned on Christmas Day that the mysterious Jasmine was her daughter. Earlier in the year, her son Josh, who was adopted by another family, made his debut.
Final Days on Albert Square
In terms of storylines, Zoe's 14 months on Albert Square saw her kiss Max Branning, be tormented by Chrissie Watts and take responsibility for the death of her ex and children's dad Anthony Truman, later freed for the killing Jasmine committed in self-defence on Christmas Day.
Following recent reports that Michelle was once again leaving the soap, Zoe's final storyline played out in quick fashion this week. In an attempt to please her mum Kat, Zoe searched for her grandfather Charlie Slater's old taxi cab. After an exchange with some dodgy men, Zoe stole the can, but not before falling and hitting her head on some rubble. The following days saw her brushing off any worries about the cut she sustained.
Fatal Blow
In scenes aired on Thursday (September 10), Kat's husband Alfie Moon encouraged his wife to make peace with Zoe. The pair were once again at each other's throats over Zoe starting an argument with Zack Hudson in the Queen Vic. Suffering from headaches, Zoe told her mum that she didn't need to go to the doctors immediately, but promised she would the next day if she was still in pain.
While this was going on, Max and Cindy Beale were in a heated argument after he suffered a heart attack on their wedding day. Cindy revealed to a crowded Queen Vic that she knew Max was cheating on her with Priya Nandra-Hart. What she didn't know is that Max is actually in love with Linda Carter. Ignoring all the drama surrounding the womaniser, Linda and Max snuck into the Vic barrel store and locked lips.
Still in pain, Zoe came across the pair kissing as she searched for some painkillers. Racing to try to explain the situation in her bedroom, Zoe made fun of Max, which led to him pushing her onto her bed. Not realising that she was injured, Max left Zoe alone in her room as she quietly cried: "I want my mum." Sadly, no one was there to hear Zoe in her final moments. The episode ended in devastating fashion as Kat discovered Zoe's dead body in her room the next morning.
Fan Backlash
Following the death of one of EastEnders' most popular characters, many fans took to X, previously known as Twitter, to criticise her death, with many claiming that it was a rushed final storyline.
@RyanSoapKing25 said: "The fact that Zoe didn't get the silent credits or a Julia's theme is criminal. She's a legacy character who deserved so much better and I'm devastated for her and for Michelle."
@___samanthab added: "Zoe Slater's an iconic character… #eastenders how can you give her a lazy ending like that. SMH."
@MlZARIES wrote: "imagine killing off the zoe slater like that omg eastenders you are losing me."
@lisaa_ell stated: "rip zoe slater you deserved so much better #eastenders."
@BRATTYBARBl commented: "Just watched today's Enders and I'm in tears at Zoe's death. Even in her final moments it felt like they treated her as a subplot, but I'm so glad her and Kat ended on good terms."
@loveforenders stated: "Zoe crying for Kat before dying. That's my day ruined I feel sick #EastEnders."
