EastEnders has offered an update on Lynne Slater, 22 years after her exit from the BBC soap. Lynne, played by Elaine Lordan, made her debut in 2000 as part of the iconic Slater family, alongside sisters Kat (Jessie Wallace), Little Mo (Kacey Ainsworth), niece Zoe (Michelle Ryan), father Charlie (Derek Martin), and grandmother Big Mo (Laila Morse).
Lynne's Dramatic Storylines and Exit
As the eldest Slater sister, Lynne was involved in several major storylines, including her turbulent marriage to Garry Hobbs (Ricky Groves) and a drunk-driving incident. She left Walford in 2004 following the death of her unborn baby, which led to her separation from Garry. Since then, she has not been seen on screen, though she has been mentioned occasionally.
In 2007, the Slaters learned Lynne was happily engaged to someone else. She attended Charlie's funeral off-screen in January 2016. Earlier this year, Kat mentioned Lynne's heartbreak over her dog's death.
Latest Update in Thursday's Episode
During the episode aired on Thursday, July 16, EastEnders provided another update on Lynne. While speaking to Tommy Moon (Sonny Kendall) about the return of villain Joel Marshall (Max Murray), Zoe Slater revealed she was planning to visit Lynne. Zoe said: "I'm going to stay at Lynne's for a couple of weeks. I ain't seen her for a while and she needs help with her new puppies," before inviting Tommy to join her.
Fans Hope for a Return
Over the years, fans have hoped for Lynne's return to Albert Square. Actress Elaine Lordan's last television appearance was on the 2007 series Soapstar Superstar, and she has since stayed away from the small screen. While it seems unlikely Elaine will reprise her role, there is potential for the character to return with a recast. Many Slaters have come and gone, with Kat, Jean Slater (Gillian Wright), and Zoe still living in Walford.
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One.
