Theo Hawthorne is set to overstep some major boundaries (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Lily Slater (Lillia Turner) is going to cause even more grief for her mum Stacey (Lacey Turner) as she gets a visit from teacher Theo Hawthorne in EastEnders.
In troubling upcoming scenes, the pregnant 12-year-old is going to cause concern when Mr Hawthorne presents Lily with a new pair of trainers, despite Stacey previously insisting that she couldn’t have them.
Despite her warning, Theo gives Lily the trainers anyway, and she is soon showing them off to her school friends, with Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd) becoming suspicious he has an ulterior motive.
Though the teacher puts Lily’s mind at ease when she confronts him, Amy is still concerned and turns to Stacey for guidance, who is furious at her daughter for deceiving her.
As fans question what exactly Mr Hawthorne’s motives with the troubled youngster are, we take a look at the character’s backstory and who plays him in the soap.
Who is Theo Hawthorne in EastEnders?
Theo, also known as Mr Hawthorne to his students, is a teacher in the soap.
What are Mr Hawthorne’s intentions with Lily? (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
He first appeared in the show in April 2023 as part of a storyline with Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier).
It saw the teen break down to his nan Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) when she implied he was stupid, with him revealing how Mr Hawthorne used to pick on him in school.
The revelation leads Jean to track down the teacher and encourage Freddie to stand up to him, which he does.
Mr Hawthorne then finds Freddie in the cage the following day and apologises for not being more supportive of his ADHD, something Freddie said he did not have, but the comment leads him to chase a diagnosis for the condition.
Who plays him?
Mr Hawthorne is portrayed in the soap by William Ellis, a British actor who trained at London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
William Ellis is no stranger to the screen (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
He is a voice artist and podcaster known for Great Expectations, Dragon Quest Swords, Queen of the Desert, Parade’s End, The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler.
Ellis also appeared in hit royal drama The Crown in 2019 as the Queen’s Flight Captain.
As well as roles on screen, he is also no stranger to the stage having appeared in the likes of Dial M For Murder, The Importance of Being Earnest, Cinderella, and more.
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The teacher has taken an interest in Lily.