BBC EastEnders fans have 'proof' two huge characters will return from dead for 40th anniversary

New EastEnders spoilers show Karen Taylor is soon set to arrive back in Walford after fleeing to Spain back in December, having grown concerned about the whereabouts of her son Keanu. Karen (Lorraine Stanley) left Albert Square behind last year after Keanu (Danny Walters) blamed her for son Albie's kidnap, despite him being behind the entire thing.

Actress Maisie Smith has teased a potential return to Eastenders years after her character was last seen in Albert Square.

Linda Carter is set to make a shocking confession in EastEnders, as she confides in Alfie Moon while intoxicated. The Queen Vic landlady has continued to struggle after killing Keanu Taylor on Christmas Day while defending best pal Sharon Watts.The Six - Linda, Sharon, Denise Fox, Stacey Slater and Kathy Beale - then buried Keanu's body under the burnt out cafe and swore to keep the events of Christmas Day a secret. However, Linda has been struggling to come to terms with what she did and as a result has turned back to drinking.

‘The Six’ are set to be rumbled for their crimes as Denise Fox (Diane Parish) continues to fall apart over Keanu Taylor's (Danny Walters) murder - and to make matters worse, her husband, Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) is drawn back to Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) in EastEnders. With her trauma still rife, Denise forgets her own birthday so when her family excitedly celebrates, she’s so overwhelmed that she rushes off. Jack tries to find out what’s wrong but Denise can’t open up to him.

EastEnders fans believe they may have rumbled a huge twist on the horizon after Gina Knight and Dean Wicks’ secret romance was exposed during this week’s first visit to Walford. As regular viewers will know, Gina has been secretly dating rapist Dean Wicks - who brutally assaulted Linda Carter during his previous stint in Albert Square - but has kept things out of the spotlight so as not to upset her family, in particular her father George Knight who happens to be dating Linda’s mum Elaine! Given Dean’s history, much of Walford has been less than impressed with his return to the Square, but despite knowing the allegations against him, Gina declared that she believes him over Linda, in scenes that fans are convinced may be part of a bigger plot to expose his ways.

Ricky Norwood, who played Arthur 'Fatboy' Chubb on EastEnders for six years, won over a lot of fans, but in 2015 was axed from the show despite being loved by viewers. Ricky, now 40, was let go from the show after he was caught in a compromising position off-screen and Fatboy was subsequently killed off in a Christmas storyline which left viewers devastated. However, in August 2023, the character surprisingly returned to Albert Square at the same time as Cindy Beale's (played by Michelle Collins) return, reports MyLondon.

EastEnders' Denise Fox might be leaving the show soon, as fans have spotted a clue that could signal her exit. Denise recently left some important evidence at the place where Keanu Taylor's body was buried, which could lead the police straight to her. The Six, including Denise, Kathy Beale, Sharon Watts, Suki Panesar, Stacey Slater and Linda Carter, were seen hiding Keanu's body under the floor of the burnt-out café.

Holly Willoughby has returned to work for the first time since stepping down from This Morning after she was allegedly targeted by a stalker, who plotted to kidnap her. The 42 year old star has been absent from TV screens since October and has also remained silent on social media. She is now set to make her TV comeback on Sunday, 14 January on the new series of Dancing on Ice, which Holly will host with Stephen Mulhern, 46.The mum-of-three was photographed while travelling in a car on Saturday, 13 January as she made her way to rehearsals in Hertfordshire.

EastEnders fans have been left cringing over Penny Branning's (Kitty Castledine) nickname for her dad Jack (Scott Maslen). Following her dramatic return to Albert Square, Penny has been referring to her dad as "Big Man Jack", something that fans have complained has left them feeling rather grossed out.Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one viewer complained: "'Big man Jack' is not cute. It’s a really weird name to give your own dad.

EastEnders fans reckon they've figured out when Keanu Taylor's body will be found after his shock murder - and it could over a year away. Soap bosses have been keeping quiet about when Keanu's death will be revealed, with many on the square believing he has gone on the run following an altercation with Nish Panesar.

EastEnders fans have labelled the recent storyline surrounding the coverup of Keanu Taylor's (Danny Walters) murder "peak television" and "comedic gold." The soap's dramatic Christmas episode saw Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) stab Keanu as he attempted to strangle Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) in the Queen Vic. In subsequent episodes, Linda, Sharon, Denise Fox (Diane Parish), Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal), Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth), and Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) teamed up to hide the body in the cafe and cover up the crime.

The Mitchells gather to say their goodbyes at a family funeral, and later, an unexpected revelation shakes one married couple to their core in EastEnders spoilers.The Mitchells gather from far and wide to pay their respects at Aunt Sal’s funeral - and they are shocked when Aunt Sal’s husband, Harold Martin (David Sterne) makes a rare appearance. Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) gives Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) and Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) their marching orders to attend, but Phil isn’t convinced by Sam’s sudden interest in family. Harold moves the congregation, including Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), to tears with his eulogy for Aunt Sal.

EastEnders fans have been left on the edge of their seats as Nish Panesar's fate was revealed after the Christmas attack.The baddie, who was nearly killed off during a massive showdown on Christmas Day, survived his injuries after Denise Fox hit him over the head with a glass bottle. The drama didn't stop there, as Sharon Watts announced Nish was dead, only for Keanu Taylor to walk in and see everything. As he tried to run away with Sharon's son Albie, she told him that he wasn't Albie's dad, leading to a big argument.Things took a turn for the worse when Keanu became violent and tried to strangle Sharon, which led to Linda Carter stabbing and killing him.

EastEnders actor Matt Di Angelo has celebrated a huge anniversary on the soap, after first appearing in Albert Square in his iconic role of Dean Wicks 18 years ago. On January 2, a fan account on Twitter marked the milestone anniversary with a tribute post featuring a collage of snaps from Matt's first episode. In the caption, they said: "18 years ago today (2nd January 2006), @matt_diangelo made his first ever appearance on @bbceastenders #EastEnders." The 36 year old actor first graced our screens in 2006 as Pat Butcher's great-nephew, causing all sorts of trouble from spiking Stacey Slater's drinks to framing Sean Slater for a crime he didn't commit and even assaulting Linda Carter.

Linda Carter is set for more drama in EastEnders following the return of Lauren Branning, who will soon uncover the truth about baby Annie's paternity. Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) made her highly anticipated return to EastEnders on New Year's Day, but didn't quite make it to Albert Square after being arrested in the airport. However, she will soon be released after cousin Penny Branning's (Kitty Castledine) confession.

Since first arriving on our screens last Summer, it’s safe to say that George Knight hasn’t had the easiest time in EastEnders after finding out his wife, Rose Knight, was actually Cindy Beale all along. Yet while he appeared to have been able to take the revelation in his stride, one truth that may break the famed boxer completely is the news that his adoptive parents had been paid to take him in.

EastEnders fans have threatened to boycott the BBC show as Max Bowden is being axed, following a showdown with bosses. Max has played the iconic role of Ben Mitchell for four years and The Sun previously revealed that EastEnders bosses have decided not to renew his contract when it expires in March this year.

EastEnders appeared to accidentally air a swear word during its recent New Year's Day episode. The pre-watershed BBC soap found itself in an awkward blunder as the F-word was broadcast while a group of Walford residents were seen clubbing to bring in 2024.

EastEnders' Penny Branning made a dramatic comeback to the BBC soap this week, but who is she and what's her story? Penny is Jack Branning's daughter and has been off-screen since 2008. She uses a wheelchair as she is paralysed from the waist down, a fact revealed during her first stint on the show. Not everyone knew about Penny, even though she adored her dad.

As Walford continues to try and put the events of Christmas behind them, there was still more drama about to unfold in EastEnders this week following the arrival of George Knight’s parents on New Year’s Day. The elderly couple arrived in Albert Square on Monday evening and were keen to share some news about their son’s past with him, but upon catching a glimpse of the pair in the pub, Cindy Beale, George’s ex girlfriend and mother of his children appeared horrified by their arrival and couldn’t escape the pub quick enough.