Reiss Colwell’s (Jonny Freeman) financial woes worsen in EastEnders next week – and he’s forced to come up with a drastic plan.
Reiss has been desperate for money to support his family ever since girlfriend Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) fell pregnant, though things took a heartbreaking turn when it transpired that she was never carrying a baby in the first place.
Despite the terrible realisation, Sonia was adamant to continue her IVF, despite the monetary issues that would soon unfold…
Realising that he didn’t have a penny to spare for another round of treatment, Reiss tried to sell his old car to Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick), and when he wasn’t interested, tried to scam Kat Mitchell (Jessie Wallace) by saying she hadn’t coughed up for earlier work he’d done for her.
Reiss has to think fast
Kat quickly grew suspicious, and upon finding receipts to prove she had paid, confessed to close pal Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) that she thought something was odd.
Bianca followed Reiss to a care centre, where he stood over his comatose wife Debbie’s bedside, asking her for permission to take more money to fund his new family with Sonia.
Horrified to learn the truth, and after a blazing row with Sonia – who didn’t seem to care – Bianca drove off into the sunset and hasn’t been heard from since.
In upcoming scenes, stress levels at No. 25 are through the roof when an 18k bill for Debbie’s care arrives on Reiss’s doorstep.
Unsure how to get the cash together, and knowing he’s already spent all of his wife’s savings, he secretly decides to rent the spare room out to generate some quick cash.
When Sonia finds out she isn’t happy, and he’s forced to open up about his worries. She reasons that they can work together to improve the situation – but it won’t be by moving a lodger in.
Luckily, Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) offers some work chasing her outstanding invoices – and he uses it as a way to get crafty and line his pockets with some extra dollar.
Back at home, he lies to Sonia and says he enough to provide for Debbie’s care.
Will she find out, and when if she does, what will it mean for their future?
