EastEnders have confirmed a number of new faces, both old and new, will become part of the cast in 2018.
Yesterday it was revealed that Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) will return along with Big Mo (Laila Morse) and Jean Slater (Gillian Wright).
It’s also been rumoured that Alfie, played by Shane Richie, will then join them at a later date.
Show exec John Yorke has now confirmed there will also be a new Slater joining the family as part of his plans to make the soap bigger and better in 2018.
He said: “I’m delighted to confirm that Kat took swimming lessons as a child, so she survived the dramatic storm of Redwater and returns to Walford arm-in-arm with Jean, Big Mo and a brand new Slater, reuniting to sort Stacey out once and for all.”
It seems Stacey will need their support as shocking new stills from the Christmas episodes have revealed she may reignite an affair with Max Branning behind husband Martin’s back.
Read more: EastEnders spoiler: Married mum to cheat on husband with old flame this Christmas?
She’s also likely to be affected by a death that has been confirmed to occur over the festive season as he’s axed the characters Lauren and Abi Branning and Ben Mitchell to make way for new blood.
John has revealed the new Slater won’t be the only fresh face on the Square.
He’s confirmed that when Mel, played by Tamzin Outhwaite, returns she won’t be alone either, as she will be joined by her teenage son, Hunter.
He’s the offspring of Steve Owen, as Mel left pregnant with his child 16 years ago.
Steve, played by Martin Kemp, died in a car fire before she left so Hunter has never known his father.
John said of Tamzin’s return: “I’m delighted to say one of our greatest characters is back – the brilliant Tamzin Outhwaite as Mel. When Mel returns, she’s fiery and damaged, carrying a lot of secrets.
“She returns with her son Hunter, who’s uncannily like his dad Steve, and she re-enters the Square to open some very old wounds.”
As if that’s not enough, he said the new Slater and Hunter won’t be the only additional new characters as he continues to revamp the show after being put back in charge last month.
“On top of that we have a brand new family for Masood, as his auntie and uncle arrive,” he said.
Masood has already made a brief appearance to tell Carmel she must move out of his home as he’ll be moving back in again.
John said after the Max revenge storyline will culminate on Christmas Day, there are plenty more shocks and new plot twists in store for the New Year.
Teasing what is to come, he said: “We have big stories for Sharon and the Taylors and of course for Stacey.
“As you can see, rightly from the beginning, strong women are back at the heart of the show – exactly where they belong.
“There’s also a baby, a shooting, a new mate for Mick and a love interest for Whitney.
“There’s a grave robbery, a heist, and a final comeuppance for Willmott-Brown – all the ingredients for a classic EastEnders Christmas and New Year.”
Read more: EastEnders viewers in meltdown as Max Branning tries to strangle arch enemy with fairy lights
Goodbye boring bin plots, hello action! It sounds like EastEnders is going to be must watch TV again in 2018!