Published June 17, 2025 8:51am Updated June 17, 2025 8:51am
EastEnders fans are already throwing out huge theories about Zoe Slater’s (Michelle Ryan) return – and they really could be onto something with one of them.
The legendary character returned after two decades in last night’s episode for a special week of episodes ahead of another stint later in the year.
It’s clear she’s fallen on hard times – crashing in a flat rented by Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) and relying on booze and vapes to get by.
Struggling with the situation, Stacey called upon Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) for help, hoping Zoe would open up to her stepfather.
During her 20-year absence, little has been said about what Zoe had been up to, given her estrangement from mum Kat (Jessie Wallace) and years spent living in Ibiza.
But viewers reckon she could have a family – and they already live on Albert Square.
‘I have a horrible feeling they’ve brought Zoe back to be Joel’s mum’ said @AntMelia94 on X.
The fan is, of course, referring to troubled Joel Marshall (Max Murray), who arrived earlier this year from Australia with his dad Ross (Alex Walkinshaw).
Little is known about their past either, other than the fact Joel committed a sex offence at school and they were both forced to flee to London with Ross’ partner Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig).
Since living in Walford, Joel has recorded himself sleeping with Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James), introduced naïve Tommy Moon (Sonny Kendall) to pornography, and in yesterday’s episode, sexually assaulting a passenger on the underground.
In the moments prior to committing the offence, he opened up to Tommy about his own mother, revealing that she abandoned him as a child and referring to her as a ‘slapper’.
Could Zoe be Joel’s mum?
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‘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.’
@DameLilySavage wasn’t as on board with the theory, writing: ‘Glad Zoe’s back but hoping not as Joel’s mum which it is was suggesting. Cindy coming back to the UK after 20 odd years and moving into the house across the road from the daughters she left in Marbella was stretching it enough… Surely Vicki would know Zoe?’
So, what do you think?
