Ian Beale is back in Walford and out of prison next week on EastEnders, while Nancy Carter returns to the show and Penny Branning's baby lie might be rumbled by someone.
Despite the big twist, Ian has barely been seen in jail for weeks, including his drama with inmate Gray Atkins. But he is already being released, and next week he is back in Walford after two months locked up.
Ian's Return and Turmoil
Ian is left shaken by his ordeal, and during his welcome home drinks at The Vic he is overwhelmed. He soon clashes with Harvey Monroe over a missed inspection at the chippy, and the altercation leads to Ian running off.
Ian shuts out his loved ones, and when the chippy is vandalised he is in turmoil. Ned Hawkins helps Ian clean the graffiti and helps him open up by forcing Ian to face what happened on the night of the accident.
Ned's Blackmail and Nancy's Return
Meanwhile, Ned's blackmail towards Nicola Mitchell leaves her rattled as he begins work at the bar. As things take their toll, Nicola tells her sister Gemma, Ned's wife, she wishes they'd never come to Walford. Nicola does apologise, but Ned does his best to irritate Nicola for a reaction. Instead, she lends a shoulder of support to her nephew Ryder, Ned's son, when she senses tension between the father and son.
Elsewhere, Ian isn't the only one back in Walford. Linda Carter's daughter Nancy returns, wanting to speak with her brother Johnny Carter about some legal drama. Max Branning lets slip to Nancy's mum Linda and her gran Elaine that she's back, and so the duo head to see her. Soon, Nancy and Linda argue, but Nancy has a confession to make which shocks her mum.
Penny's Baby Lie and Kat's Grief
Wanting to encourage honesty in the family, Linda decides to tell them all about her secret romance with Max. Elsewhere next week, Penny Branning's baby lie could be exposed by some unexpected characters. Fans know she is hiding the fact that Harry Mitchell is likely the father of her baby, not her partner Vinny Panesar. So when Rose and Jodie comment that baby Ethan doesn't look like Vinny, will her reaction give away the truth?
And will Rose and Jodie dig into this, and find out their relative Harry is the father? Finally next week, Alfie Moon tries to get through to his grieving wife Kat after the death of her daughter Zoe Slater, but Kat continues to shut him out. EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
