Vicky (Alice Haig) and Bex Fowler (Jasmine Armfield) return to EastEnders next week ahead of Martin Fowler’s funeral.
Martin tragically lost his life last month following a horrific explosion at The Queen Vic pub.
Whilst desperately trying to save ex-wife Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), a large beam collapsed on top of him and he ultimately died from crush syndrome.
Since then we’ve seen his family at loggerheads over what they deem to be the most fitting send off, and in upcoming scenes, emotions continue to rise ahead of the service.
Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) is stunned when her half-sister Vicki swans back into Albert Square following a 21 year absence.
As long-term viewers of the BBC soap will remember, she is the daughter of Michelle Fowler and Dirty Den Watts, and actress Alice Haig reckons her version of the character has traits of both parents.
‘Michelle is a down to earth and fiery character, and I think those traits are definitely within Vicki’ she told us.
‘But I think she also has a real twinkle in her eye which I imagine comes from her dad, as well as her ability not to tell the whole truth.’
Vicki’s back! (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Vicki, along with boyfriend Ross (Alex Walkinshaw) and his son Joel (Max Murray), arrive to represent her mum Michelle, who is grieving at her home in Australia.
Stunned after learning that ex-husband Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) still has feelings for her, Sharon’s attentions soon turn to her sister’s shock arrival and absence of long-term boyfriend Spencer Moon (Christopher Parker).
Vicki reveals that they have separated, but Spencer’s brother Alfie (Shane Richie) and his partner Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) want to know the intimate details.
Before long, the true reason behind the breakup is revealed to the residents – but Vicki is keeping something else shtum.
As she settles back into the area, Ross urges her to ask Sharon for some money.
Vicki is unsure whether such a big gesture is appropriate given Sharon’s traumatic few weeks, grieving for Martin and dealing with Phil’s hospitalisation on mental health grounds.
As a result, she approaches cousin Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), lying about her debt and asking for a loan.
Before long, Sharon finds out what Vicki has proposed, with her quick to shut down any concerns she may have.
Elsewhere, Joel introduces himself to local teens Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James) and Tommy Moon (Sonny Kendall), whilst Ross makes an attempt at getting to know the Beale clan.
Across the Square, Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) lands herself in hot water when she discovers that she’s been chatting to a journalist – who is investigating her sister Sonia’s (Natalie Cassidy) involvement with killer Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman), who crashed his car into The Vic and caused the explosion.
Bianca declines her offer of an interview, but it’s clear that she’s keen to get her side of the story across.
Sonia is adamant that the idea of speaking out is a bad idea, but the women are soon distracted by Bex’s arrival.
Bex, last seen in 2020, is Martin’s eldest child.
She asks her mum to accompany her to the undertakers so that they can say a final goodbye together, but Sonia is too overcome with emotion and can’t bring herself to attend.
With time ticking before the funeral service, Martin’s other ex-wife Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton) demands to know where Stacey is and why she isn’t back in Walford.
Realising that she will never get another opportunity to see Martin again, Sonia finally agrees to join Bex and Kathy Cotton (Gillian Taylforth) to bid him farewell.
At his coffin side, the trio share in their grief but Son’ can’t find the words to say.
Once alone, she says her final, tearful goodbye.
It’s going to be an emotional week!
𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 “𝑭𝒂𝒏𝒑𝒂𝒈𝒆 & 𝑾𝒆𝒃𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒆: 𝒇𝙞𝒍𝙢𝒔𝙥𝒐𝙞𝒍𝙚𝒓𝙨.𝙞𝒏𝙛𝒐” 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧-𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐞𝐬.
