Christmas may still be six months away, but EastEnders is set to kick off a surprise festive storyline next week amid more drama for the Mitchell family.

Recent weeks have seen the clan’s lives as they knew them were blown apart, after it was revealed Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington) murdered her son Harry’s (Elijah Holloway) girlfriend Shireen.

This triggered a series of explosive events that culminated in another of Nicola’s big secrets being uncovered, as her youngest son Barney (Lewis Bridgeman) discovered that Zack Hudson (James Farrar) is his biological father, not Teddy Mitchell (Roland Manookian).

While the family have tried to get back on track, Barney is still struggling with his paternity bombshell, and the stress causes him to fail a chemistry exam next week.

Wanting to cheer him up, a concerned Nicola hits upon the idea of resurrecting their family ‘Half Christmas’ tradition, where they celebrate in June.

Harry is scathing about the idea and later stirs the pot by inviting Zack along, lying that Barney wants him there.

As Nicola goes all out to decorate, Teddy delivers some brutal home truths, prompting her to trash the room just as Barney and Harry arrive.

The celebrations eventually get back on track, but there’s a shock in store when Zack arrives.

Having caused chaos, Harry revels as a furious Nicola throws Zack out, as Barney also rushes out.

After Teddy chases after him, they have a deep conversation during which he promises to support Barney if he wants to get to know Zack.

Nicola also tries to build bridges with Barney by taking him for a meal at Walford East, but another run-in with Zack causes yet more tension.

Is there a world in which Barney and Zack can have a relationship, or has Nicola got more tricks up her dastardly sleeve?