{"id":306929,"date":"2026-02-19T22:48:10","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T22:48:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/306929\/"},"modified":"2026-02-19T22:48:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T22:48:10","slug":"eastenders-makes-last-minute-change-in-surprise-sam-mitchell-exit-twist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/306929\/","title":{"rendered":"EastEnders makes last-minute change in surprise Sam Mitchell exit twist"},"content":{"rendered":"

EastEnders<\/a> spoilers follow.<\/p>\n

EastEnders has made a last-minute change to Sam Mitchell’s story as the character has decided to extend her stay in Walford<\/a> despite her previous plans to go to Spain.
<\/p>\n

In tonight’s (19 February) episode, Sam was explaining her decision to her son Ricky and Lily Slater. Sam put her foot in her mouth when she mistook Lily’s grief over the anniversary of her dad’s death for sadness over her imminent departure.<\/p>\n

“Oh Lily, I’m so sorry,” Sam said when she realised it’d been a year since Martin Fowler passed away<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“You poor thing,” she then added, doubling down with a comment on Lily’s mum Stacey “abandoning” her.<\/p>\n

\"sam<\/p>\n

BBC<\/p>\n

After Lily admitted she couldn’t bring herself to visit her dad’s grave alone, Sam offered to accompany her to buy flowers for Martin.<\/p>\n

“Look, your dad was kind to me on more than one occasion,” she said, before adding in pure Sam fashion: “Probably cause he fancied me a little bit.”<\/p>\n

“Let’s go show our respects,” Sam finally said after assuring Ricky and Lily that she would still make her flight to Spain.<\/p>\n

“Thanks for coming with me today,” Lily told Sam after they stopped by at Martin’s grave.<\/p>\n

The two had a heart-to-heart, discussing Stacey’s absence and Sam’s cancer diagnosis and treatment. Thinking of Ricky, Lily pleaded with Sam to stay in Walford a little longer and complete her radiotherapy for breast cancer there.<\/p>\n

\"lily<\/p>\n

BBC<\/p>\n

Related: Best streaming services<\/a><\/p>\n

“Ricky’s really gonna miss you,” she said. “So am I.”
<\/p>\n

“At least finish your treatment,” the teen insisted, but Sam seemed set in her decision to trade the Square for sunny Spain.
<\/p>\n

Despite putting up a tough front, Sam broke down in tears after saying her goodbyes to Ricky later on. <\/p>\n

“This feels wrong. I don’t wanna go,” she told her son, who encouraged her to call the hospital in Spain and move her radiotherapy in Walford instead.<\/p>\n

As Lily, Jack, Zack and Denise all cheered her on, Sam chose to stay and spend some more time with her loved ones. <\/p>\n

\"sam<\/p>\n

BBC<\/p>\n

Sam star Kim Medcalf returned to EastEnders for a short stint last December<\/a>. As Sam has now decided to stay on, there’s a chance she could cross paths with her brother Grant Mitchell. <\/p>\n

Grant actor Ross Kemp has recently been announced to return to EastEnders<\/a> following his last appearance in the role for the soap’s 40th anniversary last year.<\/p>\n

EastEnders airs on Mondays-Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast. <\/p>\n

Read more EastEnders spoilers on our dedicated homepage<\/a>
<\/p>\n

For exclusive soap star interviews, gossip, spoilers and theories every week, don’t miss the Soap Scoop podcast<\/a> from Inside Soap magazine. The latest episode<\/a> delves into next week\u2019s soap spoilers for EastEnders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale – featuring an unexpected pregnancy, dark new alliances, and secretive newcomers causing chaos on the cobbles.
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