Walford is reeling from a violent Christmas Day death, and the devastating aftermath is pushing one beloved resident to her absolute limit. Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) is at the centre of major concern for her family as the pressure from recent traumatic events continues to mount.
Christmas Day Carnage and a Shocking Cover-Up
The festive season in Albert Square was anything but peaceful. During the explosive Christmas Day episode, a confrontation between Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) and her ex, Anthony Truman (Nicholas Bailey), turned deadly. Viewers watched in horror as Zoe learned Anthony had known he was the father of her twins and had cruelly lied to her mother, Kat (Jessie Wallace), that the babies had died.
The argument escalated into a physical struggle. Zoe shoved Anthony, causing him to smash his head on a doorway. He retaliated by slamming Zoe's head against a bannister, knocking them both unconscious. Only Zoe woke up, leaving her and Kat with a dead body and a desperate need to cover up a manslaughter.
Jean's Fragile State Under Immense Strain
Amid the chaos, which also included the dramatic return of Chrissie Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman) and the scheming of Zoe's secret daughter Jasmine, Jean Slater has been left profoundly shaken. Jean, who has a well-documented history of bipolar disorder, has been struggling for months.
Her mental health was already impacted by the departure of her daughter, Stacey (Lacey Turner). The arrival of her cousin Zoe, whom Jean blames for Stacey's exit, has only made things worse. Jean has spent weeks vocalising her intense dislike for Zoe, telling anyone in The Vic who would listen that Zoe is the root of all evil and should leave Walford forever.
Her granddaughter, Lily Slater (Lillia Turner), recently noticed Jean's condition deteriorating. Despite Lily's attempts to help, Jean refused therapy and insisted she was taking her medication. Now, with Anthony dead and Zoe facing a murder charge, Jean's paranoia and suspicion are set to reach dangerous new heights.
A Family's Desperate Fight to Help Jean
In upcoming episodes, the fallout from Christmas Day continues to rain down on the Slaters. While Kat is determined to help Zoe, the family's attention is also firmly on Jean. Eve Panesar-Unwin (Heather Peace) and Lily will do their best to support her, but they fear she needs professional intervention.
Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter) will voice her serious concerns to Alfie Moon (Shane Richie), who will try to convince Jean to open up. However, Jean's subsequent behaviour will cause even more alarm, leading to a terrifying question: has she already been pushed past her breaking point?
With a key mystery still unsolved—someone struck the fatal blow against Anthony while Zoe was unconscious
