New Year on the Square brings big drama and familiar faces (Picture: BBC)
EastEnders is ending 2023 with a bang – and there is going to be no let-up as 2024 kicks off.
A familiar face is back as a fresh year gets underway, but Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) is thrust straight into chaos as she is tackled by police.
She isn’t alone either, with another blast from the past arriving on Albert Square.
There are also two newcomers in Walford, as George Knight (Colin Salmon) gets a surprise visit from his adoptive parents.
But a bombshell follows, as an unexpected secret comes to light.
Meanwhile, two favourites are looking to the future.
Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) is reflective over her tragic past with lost baby Peach – and Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) is hopeful to become a mum.
New Year’s Day
Lauren and Penny make a decision (Picture: BBC)
In Paris, Lauren and Penny make a decision that they have to return to Walford due to the events of the evening.
Elaine continues to struggle as Cindy tries to insert herself into George’s life.
Elaine is shocked when she catches Cindy asking George if he’s happy with his life choices, but as George tries to explain himself, he receives two unexpected visitors – his parents, Gloria and Eddie.
Zack and Whitney are devastated as they break the news to Ashton that he’s moving to a new foster home.
While Whitney struggles to cope, Zack drowns his sorrows at Peggy’s with Martin. Sonia attempts to cheer Whitney up at their small NYE bash, but to no avail.
The Walford teens decide to have an NYE party, and one of them steals a case of beer from the Minute Mart.
However, when Patrick and Yolande come to check on them, the teens are mortified to realise the stolen beer is alcohol-free. Yolande agrees to keep the theft a secret, in exchange for a favour…
Tuesday January 2
Cindy tells Ian that George was adopted (Picture: BBC)
Elaine is concerned by George’s reaction to his parents’ arrival, but he refuses to open up.
Meanwhile, at the Beale house, Cindy tells Ian that George was adopted. Gloria is thrilled to be reunited with Gina and Anna, but it’s tense between Eddie and his eldest granddaughter. Later, Gloria reveals a shocking truth to George.
Whitney and Zack are discussing some surprise news when the pair are interrupted by the social worker who has come to collect Ashton.
Yolande orders the Walford teens to deliver church leaflets in exchange for her silence about the stolen beer from NYE, but Denzel is alarmed when it’s suggested that there’s something going on between Yolande and Pastor Clayton.
Meanwhile, Penny arrives back in Walford.
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Wednesday January 3
Sonia looks at a pregnancy test – what does it show? (Picture: BBC)
George wakes having spent the night on the sofa and lies to Elaine so he can sneak off to meet Cindy. At a café, George reveals all to Cindy about his adoption. The pair attempt to find out more information but they are shocked by what they find.
Later, Elaine consoles a broken George who finally reveals all and breaks down in her arms…
On the market, Whitney shows Sonia a picture of Ashton settled in his new foster family as she tries to come to terms with his premature departure.
Sonia and Whitney head to No.25 whilst Zack and Reiss head for a drink.
Elsewhere, Denzel reluctantly agrees to help at Pastor Clayton’s soup kitchen but after he misconstrues a situation between the Pastor and Yolande, he deliberately tips hot curry on him. Penny struggles to cope in the wake of recent events as she makes a difficult decision.
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Thursday January 4
Yolande and Whitney open up to one another by Peach’s tree (Picture: BBC)
George invites Gloria and Eddie for dinner in an attempt to get some much needed answers.
Things get off to a harmonious start, but it’s not long before a huge row ensues when Eddie’s rude comments to Gina rile Cindy.
Later, George and Gloria have a heart-to-heart as Gloria shares some invaluable insight into his heritage
Whitney heads to the allotment to visit Peach’s tree where she is interrupted by Yolande who shares her own experience on fostering, but Whitney breaks down. After their heart-to-heart, Whitney makes a decision and heads back to No.3B.
Next week’s New Year episodes revealed as 2024 kicks off, seeing a major return and some baby bombshells.