Families are thrown into chaos in EastEnders next week as relatives hide secrets, clash, and find themselves at odds. Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) returns from prison, clearly struggling with his comeback to the Square, while Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) is surprised when daughter Nancy (Maddy Hill) turns up. Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington) faces Ned Hawkins (Jamie Bamber) as his scheming intensifies at the business.
Ian’s difficult return
Ian is back after his time in prison, but it soon becomes clear he is struggling with his return to Walford. As he gets edgy and goes AWOL, his loved ones grow concerned. Harvey tries to help Kathy as she prepares to welcome Ian home, but Lily asks Harvey to attend the career fair with her, and he steps in to support her instead.
On Wednesday October 7, Ian returns to the Square, visibly shaken by his prison experience. Overwhelmed, he arrives at The Vic for welcome home drinks, but things go from bad to worse when he reveals that Harvey missed the chippy inspection, leading to an argument and Ian fleeing. He continues to shut out his family, and matters worsen when he discovers the chippy has been vandalised.
Nancy’s secret arrival
Nancy arrives back in Walford to speak to Johnny for legal advice, but she is adamant she doesn’t want Linda to know. Linda is upset with Max after Annie and Ollie spot them kissing, but Max insists they shouldn’t tell anyone before his and Cindy’s annulment is finalised. Later, Max reveals Nancy is back, and Elaine and Linda head to see her. Nancy and Linda argue, and Linda leaves, but she later returns to tell her mum the truth.
On Tuesday October 6, Linda is shocked when she learns what’s really going on. Elaine and Johnny try to smooth things over, and Linda decides to tell her family about her relationship with Max in the hope they’ll be more honest with her in return.
Ned’s scheming at Harry’s Barn
Nicola continues to struggle with Ned after he blackmailed her for a share in Harry’s Barn. Once the pair arrive at work, it’s clear Ned is going to be hands-on with running the bar. Nicola heads home for George’s return, and she and Gemma later reminisce on old times. The happy moment is short-lived when Jodie unpacks their dad’s medal, and Nicola explodes. Gemma finds Nicola in The Vic, but Nicola is not in the mood to explain herself and tells Gemma she wished they had never moved to Walford.
George manages to calm Nicola following her run-in with Gemma, and Nicola later apologises. Ned gathers the family at Harry’s Barn to unveil their dad’s framed medal as an attempt to poke Nicola, but she doesn’t bite, much to Ned’s surprise. Nicola shows Ryder the ropes behind the bar, and when she senses tension between Ryder and Ned, she takes Ryder for lunch to encourage him to open up. Later, Nicola is shocked when Ryder brings his date to Harry’s Barn, and Ryder asks to speak to her alone.
Ned helps Ian clean the graffiti and forces Ian to face what happened on the night of the accident. Ian reaches out to Chelsea and later thanks Ned for his support.
