![\"Three](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/vicki-joel-ross-comp.png\")
\n\t\tWill Joel finish the couple for good? (Picture: BBC)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tWill Joel finish the couple for good? (Picture: BBC)<\/p>\n
Joel Marshall<\/a>\u2019s\u00a0(Max Murray<\/a>) toxic influence is as potent as ever in EastEnders<\/a>\u00a0next week, as even the prospect of his return is enough to potentially destroy Ross Marshall<\/a>\u00a0(Alex Walkinshaw<\/a>) and\u00a0Vicki Fowler\u2019s <\/a>(Alice Haig<\/a>) wedding.<\/p>\n When this week began, it seemed the biggest issue with the impending nuptials was Vicki\u2019s undeniable thirst<\/a> for Zack Hudson<\/a>\u00a0(James Farrar<\/a>), though that was quickly put on the back-burner when Ross received news that Joel\u2019s sentencing for his hideous attack on Vicki <\/a>had been brought forward.<\/p>\n Joel received six months<\/a> in a young offenders facility, and Vicki attempted to comfort Ross, who\u2019s conflicting feelings were written all over his face. Sure, he was fully aware of how twisted his son had become and was acutely aware of the sheer trauma he\u2019d inflicted on his wife-to-be, but he\u2019d also just witnessed his sobbing son sent to juvie.<\/p>\n As their conversation wandered toward what would come upon Joel\u2019s release, Vicki shut it down quickly, promising that whatever happened, they\u2019d deal with it as a couple. The next day, though, saw Ross admit that he can\u2019t cut Joel out of his life, with tempers flaring when he compared Joel\u2019s behaviour to Vicki\u2019s \u2018affair\u2019.<\/p>\n It\u2019s painfully clear \u2013 the Joel issue is not resolved.<\/p>\n \t\t Next week, the couple are due to attend their respective hen and stag-do\u2019s, but the shadow of Joel is hanging heavily over them.<\/p>\n \u2018Vicki\u2019s worrying about what this will mean for her \u2013 particularly the matter of where Joel will live when he eventually gets out,\u2019 Alice said.<\/p>\n \u2018Ross and Vicki then quickly realise they\u2019re not on the same page and head off to their parties feeling incredibly conflicted.\u2019<\/p>\n Before the parties, Vicki spells it out for Ross \u2013 she simply cannot marry him if he picks Joel over her.<\/p>\n \t\t Musing on the twist, Alice said: \u2018Vicki loves Ross and desperately wants their relationship to work, but Ross will always be Joel\u2019s dad, and although they\u2019ve able to brush the issue aside whilst Joel is away, the reality of the future begins to resurface.<\/p>\n \u2018Vicki starts to think more seriously about the future \u2013 and about Joel potentially being part of it. The thought of sharing a home with Joel again leaves her feeling deeply anxious. <\/p>\n \u2018It throws everything into doubt: she wants nothing more than to marry Ross, but she can\u2019t see a future that includes Joel.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tDon’t miss a Soaps scoop! Add us as a Preferred Source\t\t\t<\/p>\n As a loyal Metro Soaps reader, we want to make sure you never miss our articles when searching for stories. We have all the latest soaps news, spoilers, videos, and interviews, with a vibrant community of highly engaged readers.<\/p>\n Click the button below and tick\u00a0Metro.co.uk\u00a0to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.<\/p>\n \nAdd us as a Preferred Source<\/a>\n<\/p>\n \t\t While Ross eventually concedes and agrees to find Joel somewhere else to live, that\u2019s not the end of it. Oh no, Vicki\u2019s problems are about to increase ten-fold<\/a>\u2026<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"Vicki](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/556100-3a3a.jpg\")
\n\t\tWill Ross choose between his wife-to-be and his son? (Picture: BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n![\"Vicki](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/SEI_292403921-29d2.jpg\")
\n\t\tVicki can\u2019t begin to fathom sharing a home with Joel (Picture: BBC\/Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n![\"Soaps](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1776082042_296_SEI_278522320-46a3.jpg\")
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