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EastEnders fans were left speechless last night as one of the soap’s most iconic characters made a shock return, after a staggering 20-year absence.
In a twist-packed episode, Zoe Slater, played once again by Michelle Ryan, was seen on screen for the first time since her dramatic exit in 2005. After weeks of speculation, it’s now confirmed: Zoe is back, and she’s bringing chaos with her.
Zoe, who famously discovered that her sister Kat was actually her biological mother, returned in emotional disarray, appearing dishevelled and distressed after stealing Kat’s credit card for a wild spending spree. Her unexpected appearance left fans reeling, especially when she was confronted by none other than Alfie Moon, fresh from tying the knot with Kat.
The episode ended on a tense note, with Alfie opening the door to find Zoe, uttering the haunting words: “Hello Zoe.”
Michelle Ryan, now 40, first left the show after the infamous storyline involving her uncle Harry’s assault on Kat, which resulted in Zoe's birth. In 2015, another twist shocked fans when it was revealed Kat had given birth to twins, meaning Zoe has a twin brother she never knew about.
Speaking ahead of this week’s episodes, Michelle teased: “I can’t say too much as there is a lot of drama to come, but Zoe is a mess. She’s not the girl that left Walford twenty years ago, and she’s been really struggling on her own. She has her defences up, but this week you will see that she needs help, but whether she is willing to accept it is another story.”
Michelle was involved in one of EastEnders' biggest storylines - Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) was in fact Zoe's mother and not her sister credit: BBC
Fans have flooded social media with theories about Zoe’s past 20 years and what her return could mean for the Slaters. With secrets, sibling tension, and a whole lot of unfinished business, Walford will never be the same again.
