EastEnders fans 'rumble what Zoe Slater is really hiding' after Joel bombshell

Ahead of Zoe Slater's big EastEnders return very soon, fans think they have worked out what it is she's so desperate to hide from her family. Michelle Ryan reprised her role after 20 years a few months ago ahead of her full-time comeback in a matter of weeks.

During this stint we found out she was hiding something bad, with her claiming no one could ever find out. It led to speculation she could be the mystery mother of Walford teen Joel Marshall, while other fans were left trying to figure out what Zoe had done.

It comes after Joel shared about his mother walking out on him, while recent spoilers have appeared to have confirmed the true identity of Cleoand whether she is Zoe or not. With it seeming this twist has now been ruled out, it's left fans speculating over what it will end up being that Zoe is hiding.

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A key theory is that it has to be linked to the Slaters as Zoe is desperate for none of them to find out. She implied it was unforgivable and that there was no going back, so what has Zoe done?

One suggestion repeated recently is that she could have been the one scamming Jean Slater, after we saw her stealing cousin Stacey Slater's credit card a few months back. If not linked to Jean, some fans wondered if it will tie in with the return of Max Branning.

Taking to social media, one theory read: "[Her secret will be] That she ripped of Jean." Another fan echoed this saying Zoe "probably" was the one who scammed Jean.

A further post read: "I think Zoe either conned Jean or abandoned her kid Joel." As for Max, one fan questioned: "Might be something Max related then, sadly. Joel would have been an interesting angle."

The Jean theory continued to be shared online with a comment reading: "The more I think about it the more I think Zoe’s secret is that it was her that scammed Jean." Another fan said: "Zoe marrying Max?"

Another fan pointed out: "Whatever she’s done, it’s something she thinks her family would never ever forgive her for." Some fans were still convinced a "red herring" was at play, and that Zoe would end up being confirmed as troubled Joel's mother.

One viewer posted: "She could’ve gone by a different name. But I bloody hope she isn’t his mother." Another said: "Maybe Cleo is a fake name?" while a third commented: "It’s Cindy / Rose all over again."

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , and Threads.