“Walford’s Most Controversial Villain Is Back…” — Next Week’s EastEnders Spoilers Promise Absolute Chaos

One of EastEnders’ most controversial villains is back next week, when Joel Marshall (Max Murray) returns to Walford.

Newlyweds Vicki and Ross Marshall (Alice Haig and Alex Walkinshaw) return home, and their reunion with Zack Hudson (James Farrar), who Vicki had previously had a fling with, seems like a cake walk when Joel arrives at their door. Will their fledgling marriage survive?

Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) continues to fear for his freedom as he receives conflicting advice from his son, Peter (Thomas Law) and mum, Kathy (Gillian Taylforth). As he looks toward an incredibly uncertain future, how will he plead in court?

The grande dame of Albert Square, Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean), is back and immediately sets about trying to sell her half of the Boxing Den. Old rivalries bubble up later when she confronts Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan), can the feud between the two femme fatales be put to bed?

Elsewhere, Denise Fox (Diane Parish) is floored by the revelation that her chemo hasn’t worked as hoped, and tries to keep her family in the dark, Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) and Mark Fowler Jr (Stephen Aaron-Sipple) continue to navigate their dodgy car scam and Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan Levy) continues to play with fire as her fling with Max Branning (Jake Wood) intensifies.

You ready for the main course? Let’s tuck in…

Monday, July 13

After Ian’s lawyer advises him to plead guilty, the Beale’s are torn, with Peter and Lauren encouraging him to listen to the advice, while Kathy remains steadfast that he should plead innocence. After seeking advice from Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe), he approaches Chelsea (Zaraah Abrahams), but feels the full force of Denise’s wrath.

After Sharon announces her plan to sell her half of the Boxing Den, Max jumps straight on the opportunity. Later, she confronts Zoe over her lies about Dennis Rickman (Nigel Harman), but Jasmine Fisher (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness) and Josh Goodwin (Joshua Vaughan) take up for their mum. As Zoe attempts to apologise to Sharon, she finds no forgiveness.

Elsewhere, Denise keeps the Fox-Truemans in the dark that her chemotherapy hasn’t worked as well as they’d hoped and Priya attempts to lure Max back into her arms.

Tuesday, July 14

As she continues to keep her family in the dark, Denise heads back to the hospital and is heartbroken to discover her friend has died. Back on the Square, she spots Jordan (Izaiah Hagan-Brown) with Sheila Atkins (Sheila Ruskin), forcing Libby (Belinda Owusu) to reveal that Sheila is Gray Atkins’ (Toby-Alexander Smith) nan.

Kathy desperately tries to remain positive on the day of Ian’s plea hearing, while Ian seeks out Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) for support and advice.

Meanwhile, Max is unable to resist Priya’s advances.

Wednesday, July 15

Vicki and Ross’ return from honeymoon is marred by the presence of Zack, and after seeking advice from Kathy, they announce their intention to move into No.31, though Zack volunteers to move out instead. As things finally settle, the ground falls from beneath them when Joel and Cleo arrive at No.43.

Denise is incandescent over the presence of Sheila and demands to meet with her. As she arrives, Denise banishes Chelsea and Libby and begins her interrogation.

Also, Mark and Lauren make a deal on the stolen car scheme, with Mark agreeing to not mix business with pleasure by skipping Ian’s family BBQ, while Harry Mitchell (Elijah Holloway) and Gina Knight (Francesca Henry) desperately try to locate Penny Branning’s (Kitty Castledine) stock that they’ve lost.

Thursday, July 16

Lauren is taken aback when Mark goes back on his promise and arrives at the BBQ and later, she’s horrified to receive a call from him, telling her that a car deal has gone badly wrong. As she rushes to help, she’s furious to reveal he was testing her loyalty.

Then tension at No.43 is through the roof as Vicki declares that she doesn’t want Joel living with her. As she heads for the cafe, seeking out Sharon, she’s confronted by Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James) and Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd), who are furious at Joel’s re-emergence.