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fans think they've cracked a major twist just moments after Zoe Slater (played by Michelle Ryan) made her shock comeback to the soap. The actress returned to the role in Monday's episode (June 16), with the troubled former Slater spotted slumped on Stacey's sofa in the closing scene. The character hadn't been seen in Walford since 2005, when she fled to Spain after her part in Den Watts' murder was revealed.

Zoe was revealed to fans in the final scene looking deshevelled as Aflie looked on in shock. And viewers are convinced that Zoe is about to be revealed as Joel Marshall's (Max Murray) mum, with many begging the soap not to go down that road. "Zoe had better not be Joel's mother," one fan fumed. "Sick of these coincidental mothers turning up with already loads of connections to the square.

"P****d me off Cindy was Anna and Gina's mother. How coincidental would it be if Zoe was Joel's mother too #."

Another wrote: "Zoe's going to be Joel's mum isn't she #EastEnders," while a third added: "I loved that 'I'm your mother' throwback line from Kat. This week is gonna be awesome. But please don't make Zoe Joel's mum. We need him gone asap."

One viewer simply put it: "They're already saying Zoe's gonna end up being Joel's mother ffs."

The theory exploded online within minutes of Monday night's episode

While nothing has been confirmed, the fan theory isn't completely far-fetched. Zoe's past is riddled with secrets and trauma, and she left Walford as a broken teenager.

If she'd had a child around that time, it would make Joel around 20 years old - the right age. Combine that with EastEnders' love for shocking family connections, and it's not hard to see why viewers are suspicious.

Zoe's return also marks a reawakening of the Slater clan's central role in the Square, especially after Stacey's recent absence.

Actress Lacey Turner had been off screen more than usual, leading to speculation among fans, but Monday's episode confirmed she's firmly back in the fold.

The 41-year-old soap star also had fan tongues wagging about her apeparance 20 years on. it appears as though time hasn't been kind to the brunette beauty and it didn't take long before fans flooded to X - formerly known as Twitter - to share their surprise at the jaw-dropping revelation online.

One user penned: "Obsessed with the 'scruffy, needs a wash' Zoe Slater" as another agreed: "Zoe Slater is BACK! # and she's 100% the 'slapper' mother of that disgusting dog Joel."

A third chimed in with: "Zoe Slater in need of a good scrub, snip and wash #."