EastEnders spoilers follow.
EastEnders fans will see Sharon Watts and Zoe Slater’s bitter rivalry reignited next week, when Zoe confronts her former love rival with a bombshell confession.
Having only just landed back in Walford, Sharon is stunned to see that Vicki Fowler and Zack Hudson have been injured after being caught up in a physical fight with Zoe.
What to Read Next
Feeling protective of her siblings, Sharon has a word with Zoe at The Vic – but nothing prepares her for the fighting talk that comes next…
BBC
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“Zoe makes a revelation that rocks Sharon’s world,” our EastEnders source explains. “In fact, it’s such a shock that she refuses to believe the words that have come out of Zoe’s mouth.
“Sharon’s disbelief then turns into fury as she loses it at Zoe – so much so that landlady Kat is forced to throw both Sharon and Vicki out on their ears.”
Read on for more details of what to expect…
1. Sharon and Zoe come face-to-face
Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron//BBC
When Sharon first returns to Albert Square, the business lady is knocked for six when she spots Zoe hanging around outside Stacey Slater’s house just like she did so many years ago.
After Vicki and Zack welcome their sister back into the fold, Sharon remains focused on Zoe and even tries to confront her.
The pair later come face-to-face for the first time in two decades at The Vic, as Sharon – perhaps surprisingly – calls a truce with Zoe.
“EastEnders fans will remember the deep wounds that exist between Sharon and Zoe,” our insider says. “Sharon’s dad, Den, forced Zoe to lie and say that she was pregnant with Dennis’s baby to keep Sharon and his son apart.
“Then, there’s also the fact that Den seduced Zoe, and of course, Zoe’s involvement in the cover-up of Den’s brutal murder at the hands of Chrissie Watts. Surely, it’s no surprise that the truce barely lasts two seconds…”
2. Sharon reaches out to Phil
BBC
After Sharon accidentally crosses paths with Phil Mitchell in the café, she tries to make peace with her ex-husband and asks him to care for Albie that evening.
Luckily for Sharon, Phil accepts her request before going on his way.
3. Sharon confronts Vicki over her debt
BBC
Subsequently, Sharon decides to talk to Vicki about the huge sum of cash that she owes her.
However, Vicki quickly becomes overwhelmed by the call to reality, given the difficulties she is facing with Joel and his misogynistic views.
Will Sharon ever recover the money that she’s owed?
4. There’s a public brawl on the Square
BBC
BBC
Unwilling to talk things through with Sharon, Vicki storms out and bumps into Zoe in the Square, where the two women soon turn violent.
As the volatile feud escalates, burly blokes Anthony Trueman and Zack are forced to intervene, but Zack ends up being whacked in the face as he tries to cool things down.
5. Sharon intervenes – and Zoe drops her bombshell
BBC
Sharon returns home to find both Zack and Vicki nursing their nasty injuries – leading her to confront Zoe at the boozer…
“Vicki and Zack look like they’ve just been in the boxing ring,” our insider reveals. “They’re applying ice to their heads when Sharon walks in and finds them.
“And as we know now, the scene is the catalyst for Sharon to have it out with Zoe – who drops some news that will shock viewers as much as it does Sharon…”
6. Sharon deals with the fallout
BBC
After being chucked out of The Vic, Sharon is left to deal with her racing thoughts and feelings at the café. Eventually, Ian Beale spots that his friend is hurt and accompanies her back to his place to talk things through with Kathy.
At No 45, Sharon and Kathy share a bottle of wine over a heartfelt chat, while Ian also offers his thoughts as he tries to convince Sharon that Zoe is lying to her face.
Does Ian have it right, or will Sharon have to face up to a life-changing truth? And if so, could her long and complicated conflict with Zoe reach heights that we’ve never seen before?
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.
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