Is Michelle Ryan leaving EastEnders for good as Zoe Slater exits?
Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) made a hasty departure in EastEnders after a week two decades in the making, claiming that she has done something 'so bad' that it warrants her disappearing for good.
The much-loved Walford icon staged her long-awaited comeback on Monday (June 16), appearing on screen for the first time since 2005.
Staying with Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) in a flat in London, it became apparent very quickly that Zoe wasn't in a good place, with our Stace concerned enough to notify Alfie Moon (Shane Richie).
Alfie wasn't keen on the prospect of keeping Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace)in the dark but Zoe urged him to keep shtum.
When Kat showed up at the flat, however, Zoe was forced to hide and she subsequently made an escape, determined not to come face-to-face with her estranged mum.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Kat's suspicions are raised but Stacey and Alfie managed to cover their tracks – so far anyway! The question is: just what is 'so bad' that Zoe has to flee once more?
Is this really her exit? Has Michelle Ryan's stint come to an end so soon? Let's take a look at what we know.
If you're thinking 'please don't go Zoe, it's barely been a week', then you're not alone as I too was thinking the same thing.
However, I bring you good news, with this exit simply being a temporary one. Metro understands that Zoe will return to screens – and presumably this time in Walford – later this year in a more regular captivity.
Good things come to those who wait and let's face it, we've been waiting a long time.
One of EastEnders' most-known characters ever, Zoe frequented the Square for a five year period, appearing between 2000 and 2005.
The early noughties was a particularly strong era for the popular soap, with the Slater clan at the centre of much of the drama.
Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who's leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale?
Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews.
Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers!
Zoe in particular featured in many iconic storylines during this period.
From assisting Chrissie Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman) and Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) in covering up the murder of Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) after her affair with the Queen Vic landlord – and her subsequent pregnancy reveal – to her relationship with Dennis Rickman (Nigel Harman), she had no shortage of legendary and soapy moments. More Trending
She is mostly remembered for the moment that Kat confirmed she's her biological mum.
The truth came to light in a showdown which prompted perhaps the most iconic dialogue exchange ever uttered in Albert Square. I am of course referring to 'You ain't my mother!', to which Kat replied: 'Yes I am!'.
There are few TV moments as iconic – and hopefully we'll get many more when Zoe returns to the Square later this year and *fingers crossed* reunites with Kat.
View More »
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer.
If you've got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@metro.co.uk – we'd love to hear from you.
Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage.
MORE: Kat chilled to the bone in EastEnders as she makes discovery about Tommy
MORE: EastEnders fans are all saying the same thing about Zoe Slater return
MORE: EastEnders fans 'work out' who Joel's mum is – and it changes everything
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
2 hours ago
- Metro
Todd seriously concerned in Coronation Street as Theo story takes a turn
Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce) is facing a complicated journey with Theo Silverton (James Cartwright) in Coronation Street. Shortly after Todd started seeing Theo, he learnt that he was in a relationship with a woman called Danielle (Natalie Anderson), and that they also have children together. As far as Danielle was concerned, she had no idea that Theo wasn't a straight man. Amid this, Theo has also opened up about his life before Danielle, revealing that his church had put him through conversion therapy when he was younger in an attempt to change his sexuality. The experience had scarred him and meant he was unable to accept himself, even at the same time as he was unable to deny his feelings for Todd. In tonight's episode, Todd and Theo headed to the pub for Glenda's (Jodie Prenger) drag night. The evening started off well, but Todd then realised Theo was quite distracted by his phone and texts from Millie, his daughter. Todd put Theo's phone on airplane mode, wanting him to enjoy the night a bit more. He ended up doing just this but when he reached for the device to swap numbers with Billy (Daniel Brocklebank), Theo discovered what Todd had done. As a result of having his phone off, Theo had missed the news that Millie was in hospital. He angrily confronted Todd which brought the mood down drastically. Outside, Todd gave Theo some space but then attempted to support him. Unfortunately, a furious Theo pushed Todd and said he would knock his teeth out, should he come anywhere near him again. After time passed, Theo arrived with Millie in tow. She was fine, but Theo revealed she wanted to stay with him after clashing with her mum. This wasn't a problem for Todd, as he was more focused on the fact Theo had returned. By way of an apology, Theo suggested getting a takeaway at the Bistro. Just as they sat down to wait, Todd went to the loo. While on his own, Theo was confronted by a person he did not recognise. The man turned out to be the drag act from the Rovers, only this time he wasn't wearing his alter-ego's outfit. Theo was confronted due to his behaviour in the pub, and he immediately went into a defensive mode after. As a result of trying to protect himself though, Theo reacted with anger and tipped his chair on the floor. Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who's leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale? Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers! Todd rushed out just in time, but Theo had ran off back to the house. More Trending As Theo called out for Millie, telling her that they were leaving, he began snapping an elastic band on his wrist. Seeing how distressed Theo had become, Todd tried his best to comfort him, but he was terribly worried. Todd is trying his best, but it's clear Theo is a complex individual with a dark and traumatic history. View More » Can he really help him on his own? MORE: All Coronation Street spoilers for next week as legend 'disappears' MORE: Coronation Street character rushed to hospital in unexpected turn of events MORE: All 28 Coronation Street pictures for next week as legend confirms diagnosis
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
EastEnders fans 'work out' what Zoe Slater's hiding as she makes dark confession
Zoe Slater made a shock confession during tonight's EastEnders episode - as she told Stacey Slater she was hiding something 'so bad' - and fans think they've worked out what Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) made a quick escape in EastEnders this evening, but not before dropping a huge bombshell on Stacey and Alfie. After telling the two she wouldn't be coming back to the flat, she revealed that she had a huge secret that everyone would hate her for if they found it. Although she didn't reveal what, fans think they already know. The scenes came after Zoe hid from her mother Kat who made her way to Stacey's flat after tracking Alfie down through the help of Tommy's tracking device. Zoe hid in the bedroom while Kat and Jean were in the flat, but it was a close call when a suspicious Kat barged in. Luckily, Zoe had made an exit out the window - but she told Stacey and Alfie she wouldn't be making her way back. Despite this, it has been confirmed that Zoe will be making a permanent return this summer. Before making her exit, Zoe told Stacey and Alfie on the phone: "I've done something so bad, you'd never forgive me. I can't tell you. You'd hate me, you all would hate me." Although Zoe didn't reveal what her secret was, fans think they've already worked it out. Before her return, there were theories floating around that she could be Joel Marshall's mum. Now, some fans think her huge secret is that she abandoned her son. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan penned: "As Zoe was on the run for Dirty Den's murder, it's possible she had a false identity and Ross has never mentioned her. "Remember Ross and Joel moved to Australia, where he met Vicky and Zoe walked out out on Ross and Joel when Joel was little," as another agreed: "I don't think Ross is his biological dad. I think Joel Marshall was adopted at birth and is Zoe's." A third echoed: "I feel it's going to be that she had a kid and abandoned him - and the kid will be Joel." However, others believe she may be on the run for a murder. "What has Zoe done? Killed someone? (apart from being involved in Den's murder)" questioned one. Another predicted: "After watching tonight's episode - I get the feeling Zoe might have accidentally killed someone or she's part of a coverup similar to what happened to Dirty Den. EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Metro
2 hours ago
- Metro
EastEnders ‘confirms' Joel fan theory in throwaway scene - did you spot it?
EastEnders has seemingly 'confirmed' a huge fan theory regarding Joel Marshall (Max Murray). Little is known about the Albert Square newcomer, other than the fact he's found himself in a lot of trouble since his arrival. Alongside dad Ross (Alex Walkinshaw) and Ross' partner Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig), the trio came to Walford for her uncle Martin's (James Bye) funeral. It soon transpired that they couldn't return to their home in Australia, as Joel had upskirted a pupil in his class, and Ross had paid her family $50,000 in exchange for their silence. The youngster has then showed a number of worrying behaviours towards women – watching extreme adult content online with Tommy Moon (Sonny Kendall), recording himself sleeping with Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James) and this week, sexually assaulting a passenger on the London Underground. Tommy witnessed the latter incident and was horrified, and as we saw in tonight's episode, is reluctant to hang around with him. This came following a conversation about a disgusting influencer, who degrades women. Joel thought this was an appropriate way to talk about the opposite sex, branding his own mum a 'slapper', talking about how she abandoned him as a child. But who exactly is his mum? Well, fans flocked to social media to question whether recent returnee Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) could've hooked up with Ross during her 20 year absence, and subsequently left him to raise their son. 'So…Joel and Zoe….??' said @E20AfterDark. @blistatcapital wrote: 'Zoe is going to be Joel's Mum or something absurd like that.' @RyanJL commented: 'Come on, who cares about coincidences, Zoe being Joel's mum is pure soap gold. Kat's his Granny! Tommy's his uncle! It's Slater magic.' Well, further fuel was added to that fire in tonight's episode, with an off the cuff line that harked back to one of EastEnders' most iconic scenes. Back in 2001, Zoe discovered that her sister Kat (Jessie Wallace) was actually her mother. She was planning to head to Spain for a new life with their Uncle Harry (Michael Elphick), unaware that he was in fact Kat's rapist – and therefore her father. 'You can't tell me what to do, you ain't my mother!' screamed Zoe, as Kat attempted to prevent her relocation, howling back: 'Yes I am!' Cue the doof doofs! In tonight's EastEnders, Vicki paid £2,000 to the girl that Joel assaulted on the tube. He promised her and Ross that he would change his ways, and that he'd never commit such an offence again. However, Vicki saw straight through his act and pinned Joel against the door. Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who's leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale? Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers! She swore that if he ever did anything like that again, she would ensure that he faced the full and proper consequences for his actions. More Trending Trying to squirm away, Joel yelled out: 'Well, you ain't my mum, you don't get to tell me what to do!' History repeats itself. View More » Could this be the biggest clue yet, or has the BBC soap dealt us a red herring? If you've got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@ – we'd love to hear from you. Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage. MORE: Is Michelle Ryan leaving EastEnders for good as Zoe Slater exits? MORE: Kat chilled to the bone in EastEnders as she makes discovery about Tommy MORE: EastEnders reveals what is wrong with Zoe Slater in early BBC iPlayer streaming release
