Actress Maddy Hill returns to EastEnders next week, signalling the start of the end for co-star Kellie Bright and her formidable alter-ego Linda Carter.
The clan begin reuniting for a storyline that is laden with all the twists and turns that one can expect from a soap exit. Hill’s Nancy is seeking legal advice from her brother Johnny (Charlie Suff), on the proviso that their mum doesn’t know she’s back.
But with this being Albert Square, tongues start wagging and mother and daughter soon share an explosive tête-à-tête. But why exactly is Nancy back, and will Linda’s honesty about her relationship with Max Branning (Jake Wood) allow for harmony to be restored?
Meanwhile, Ned Hawkins (Jamie Bamber) makes a seriously cruel move towards Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington), and his son Ryder (Felix Uff) decides to open up to his aunt about something that is troubling him.
Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) stages a comeback after his stretch in prison – and it isn’t easy for him, and Penny Branning (Kitty Castledine) receives an uncomfortable reminder of her dark secret.
Here’s everything happening in the episodes of EastEnders airing between Monday 5 and Thursday 8 October.
6 EastEnders spoilers for next week1. Nancy Carter returns to Walford
Maddy Hill reprises her Nancy Carter role. BBC/Kieron McCarron
Nancy makes an unexpected return to her old home as she seeks legal advice from Johnny – but there’s one person she’s determined to keep in the dark, their mum Linda.
Meanwhile, Linda has her own problems. Young children Annie (Lois Hawkins) and Ollie (Harry Farr) have caught her sharing a kiss with Max, and although he has insisted keeping their relationship under wraps until his annulment from Cindy is officially finalised, the secret soon becomes harder to contain.
When Max lets slip that Nancy is back on the Square, Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) and Linda waste no time in going to see her. However, an explosive confrontation between mother and daughter ends with the Linda storming away.
Jake Wood as Max Branning and Kellie Bright as Linda Carter. BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
She later has a change of heart and returns to the Square, determined to finally tell her mum exactly what has been going on. Linda is stunned by what she hears, while Elaine and Johnny attempt to prevent the situation from spiralling further.
Eventually, Linda decides to come clean to her family about her relationship with Max in the hope that Nancy will be more honest with her, too.
2. Nicola Mitchell clashes with Ned Hawkins
Jamie Bamber as Ned Hawkins and Laura Doddington as Nicola Mitchell. BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
Nicola continues to struggle with Ned after his blackmailing forced her to hand over a share of Harry’s Barn. And it quickly becomes apparent that Ned has no intention of staying in the background, as he throws himself into running the bar.
With George Knight (Colin Salmon) due to return, Nic’ heads home, where she and Gemma Hawkins (Patricia Potter) find themselves reminiscing about happier times. But the mood changes dramatically when Jodie Hawkins (Anna Constable) brings out their dad’s medal.
Nicola’s reaction leaves Gemma stunned.
Jamie Bamber as Ned Hawkins and Laura Doddington as Nicola Mitchell. BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
When she tries to find out what’s wrong, Nicola refuses to open up and lashes out, telling her sister that she wishes they had never moved to Walford in the first place. George manages to calm Nicola down, and she later attempts to make amends with her sister.
However, Ned has his own plans. He gathers the family at Harry’s Barn to unveil a framed version of their dad’s medal, seemingly designed to get under Nicola’s skin. Nicola refuses to give him the reaction he wants, leaving him surprised by her composure.
3. Ian Beale struggles upon his return from prison
Adam Woodyatt as Ian Beale. BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
Harvey Monroe (Ross Boatman) is determined to support partner Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) as she prepares for Ian’s return, but his plans are complicated when Lily Slater (Lillia Turner) asks him to attend a careers fair with her. With Harvey keen to help, he finds himself pulled in several directions.
He also tries to take some pressure off Kathy by cleaning Beale’s Plaice ahead of an inspection – only to discover he may have bitten off more than he can chew.
Ian eventually arrives back in Walford, but his return is far from the triumphant homecoming his family had hoped for. Clearly shaken by his time in prison, he struggles to settle back into normal life.
Adam Woodyatt and Gillian Taylforth as Ian and Kathy Beale. BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
Things soon unravel further for Harvey when Lily reveals she’s missing a careers open day to look after Charli. Harvey agrees to step in, meaning he misses the inspection at the chippy.
An overwhelmed Ian later heads to The Vic for welcome-home drinks, but the mood turns sour when he discovers Harvey missed the inspection. The pair clash, with Ian’s emotions getting the better of him before he eventually flees.
Gillian Taylforth as Kathy Beale and Ross Boatman as Harvey Monroe. BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
Ian continues to shut his loved ones out, and matters take another turn when he discovers the chippy has been vandalised. Ned offers a helping hand as Ian cleans up the graffiti, but he also pushes Ian to confront the events surrounding the accident… forcing him to face memories he has been desperately trying to avoid.
The conversation appears to have an impact, with Ian eventually reaching out to Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams). He also takes the opportunity to thank Ned for standing by him.
4. Penny Branning and Vinny Panesar have a difficult time with baby Ethan
Shiv Jalota as Vinny Panesar and Kitty Castledine as Penny Branning. BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
Penny and Vinny Panesar (Shiv Jalota) are pushed to their limits as sleep deprivation takes its toll on them both. When his mum Suki Panesar-Unwin (Balvinder Sopal) begins questioning their parenting abilities, Penny refuses to let Vinny take the criticism alone and quickly comes to his defence.
But Penny soon finds herself worrying for a different reason when Rose Hawkins (Marian McLoughlin) and Jodie remark that their baby, Ethan, doesn’t look much like Vinny.
Could the innocent comment leave Penny worried that her secret is about to emerge?
5. Alfie Moon tries to make a breakthrough with wife Kat
Jessie Wallace and Shane Richie as Kat and Alfie Moon. BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) is determined to get through to Kat (Jessie Wallace), but she continues to keep him at arm’s length following Zoe Slater’s (Michelle Ryan) death.
Despite his attempts to support her, Kat refuses to let Alfie in – leaving him struggling to work out how he can help.
6. Ryder Hawkins confides in his aunt Nicola Mitchell
Laura Doddington as Nicola Mitchell and Felix Uff as Ryder Hawkins. BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
Nicola takes Ryder under her wing as she shows him the ropes behind the bar. However, she soon picks up on an uncomfortable tension between him and his father Ned.
Keen to find out what’s really going on, Nicola takes Ryder out for lunch and encourages him to open up. The pair continue to grow closer, but she gets quite the surprise when he turns up at Harry’s Barn with his date.
Later, Ryder asks Nicola if they can speak privately. What exactly does he want to tell her?
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