Huge EastEnders exits and four major returns – with one extremely sinister comeback this spring

EastEnders has had a jam-packed start to the year (nearly half way towards Christmas lads, get shopping!) and spring is not looking like it’s slowing down one bit.

As our exclusive preview ahead shows, there are big changes in Walford – in the wake of Shona McGarty’s upcoming emotional exit as Whitney Dean, there are some familiar faces heading home.

Bobby Brazier is reprising his role as Freddie Slater along with Laila Morse as the endlessly mischievous Mo Harris, and the chaos that follows is everything you’d expect from this pair.

But while there will be a lot of humour to be found in this, the same can’t be said for the other big comeback this spring as abusive killer Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry) resurfaces – and throws his family into utter chaos once more with the bombshell of all bombshells.

There are some familiar faces – and unwelcome secrets

We are also set to say hello and goodbye to a couple of other fan-favourites, while there’s a new face on the Square that brings new drama for long-suffering George Knight (Colin Salmon).

And elsewhere, the Six story hasn’t gone anywhere – the ladies may think they have gotten away with it but that’s all about to change…

Nish is back – with a bombshell!

We last saw him slink away into the night after being unceremoniously – and deservedly – thrown onto the street by his family, but Nish Panesar is about to re-surface.

We knew it would only be a matter of time before he darkened the Panesar door again, and you can expect plenty of old wounds being re-opened.

With the Keanu murder secret seemingly put to bed after Dean Wicks’ incarceration, Suki is hopeful that she can focus on building her future with Eve Unwin.

But the unwelcome comeback will throw her life into chaos once more – especially when Nish drops the biggest bombshell they could imagine; and one that they didn’t see coming…

Goodbye Whitney amid a big secret

Saying goodbye to Whitney Dean after 15 years is going to be painful for fans – we have been through so much with her and we are all aching for her to get a happy ending.

She has a baby on the way and a wedding round the corner so theoretically the ingredients are there for some long-deserved joy.

But that bubbling secret being held by Zack Hudson and Lauren Branning is waiting to explode and destroy everything.

Bianca Jackson also knows what they have done and is facing a dilemma over whether to put Whit in the picture before she seals the deal on her big day.

Lauren is also full of guilt over what she has done to her best mate, and seems on the brink of cracking with a confession too.

As a sten night gets underway, Whitney will find her waters breaking and, as she goes into labour, things don’t go smoothly. Having been very anxious about her pregnancy given what happened to Peach, will Whitney welcome a healthy baby?

And, beyond that, will she and Zack say ‘I do’, or will the cheating scandal finally come to light and change everything?

Whatever happens, it is leading to an exit for her just around the corner, but the exact circumstances remain to be seen.

Here’s hoping Whitney can break the tradition of misery she has been subjected to but, this is EastEnders…

Double Slater comeback!

Bobby Brazier has had a whirlwind of a time since taking a break from Walford. After a successful stint on Strictly, he was then inundated with plenty of offers and a variety of jobs.

Now, Freddie is coming home to Walford, delighting fans – we have missed his cheeky vibes and, even more excitingly, he is back with Big Mo in tow.

Expect chaos and outrageous antics – we’d expect and hope for nothing less.

Since terrified Freddie left the Square to escape police attention following his attack on stalker Theo, he has been staying with Mo in her caravan.

Before they land back in Walford, we will get an insight into what they have been up to in the interim via a fun-filled TikTok series.

But what brings them back home? They are certainly going to liven things up a bit!

Beware, Six. It’s not over yet…

They thought that framing Dean and having him landed in prison would finally be the end of it, but the truth of Keanu’s death is going to come back and haunt the Six women once more – two in particular!

Satisfied that they have Dean bang to rights, everyone is now trying to just move on with their lives, but they’re in for a rude awakening.

Fresh questions are going to crop up needing urgent answers and it will send a chill down their spines as they realise it’s all far from over.

Finding themselves in the spotlight, it’s particularly bad news for Linda Carter and Sharon Watts…

By George, there’s another Knight shock on the way

Since discovering the truth about his real dad’s murder at the hands of adopted ‘father’ Eddie, George Knight’s life has been in freefall.

He has struggled to come to terms with it all but eventually took the brave step of testifying against Eddie, before then tragically losing his mum Gloria.

With everything weighing down on him, he has been risking his life with bare-knuckle fighting and his frightened family are praying that he can come out of this cycle of violence.

One thing that might bring hope is a reunion with his son Junior, with Emmerdale’s Micah Balfour cast in the role.

Teasing what Junior will bring, EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw said: ‘Although Junior has been referenced since The Knights arrived in the Square, the audience knows very little about George’s son and the circumstances behind their estrangement.

‘Junior arrives in Walford following an unlikely meet with his dad and is quickly thrust into the heart of the drama. However, it will soon become apparent to viewers that there is more to Junior than meets the eye…’

Keeping his cards very close to his chest, does Junior have an ulterior motive or will the reunion be what George needs to move past his recent ordeals?

Elsewhere, there is also the matter of the spark with Cindy that refuses to go away. Elaine now knows about what happened between them recently, meaning that her relationship with the Vic landlord is heading for potentially choppy waters.

Ian remains obliviously in the dark – but will it stay that way? And can George and Cindy resist each other?

Will Yolande find justice?

We are still recovering from the masterful piece of television that saw iconic couple Yolande and Patrick Trueman navigating the aftermath of her sexual assault at the hands of Pastor Clayton.

Yolande made the decision not to involve the police but has bravely reported Clayton to church officials.

The vile attacker has targeted many women before and has the most sinister form so there has evidently been some covering up done in the past.

So what does this mean for Yolande? Will she and the other women find justice?

Or will Clayton find a way to get out of paying for his crimes?

Fresh struggles for Denzel

Denzel remains in the grips of a steroid addiction as he continues to obsessively rely on them, as well as spending growing time with an influencer who is doing the opposite of helping this situation.

In coming scenes, Amy will decide that she is ready to take the next step in their relationship and have sex, but things don’t go well, with the effects of the steroids leaving Denzel unable to.

And things get even more complex when Nugget both makes a pass at a stunned Amy and then seeks to use steroids himself.

With Amy in despair over Denzel’s behaviour, and his addiction worsening, things will get very messy and turbulent for the teens.

Just how bad are things going to get?

More hellos and goodbyes

The year will also see some other changes too, with Karen Taylor tipped to make another temporary return to Walford, most likely connected to Keanu’s death. We haven’t seen her since the body was found, so what headspace will we see her in – and will she uncover some unsavoury truths?

And with Clay Milner Russell set to depart his role, speculation is now rife on how Bobby Beale’s story will end. He is not thought to be being killed off, and fans are hoping that, like they are with Whitney, he might get the happy ending he deserves.