The Square is about to erupt with chaos, heartbreak, and shocking revelations as EastEnders gears up for one of its most emotional weeks

of the year. Fan favorite Sam Mitchell makes an electrifying return to Walford — but her arrival is anything but warm. Meanwhile, Joel’s

devastating exit leaves residents reeling, and viewers are bracing themselves for a week of explosive scenes that will change the Mitchell family forever.

 

 

💥 Sam Mitchell’s Return: Trouble Comes Home

When EastEnders announced the return of Kim Medcalf as Sam Mitchell, fans immediately knew fireworks were on the way. Sam’s reputation for chaos precedes her, and true to form, she storms back into Walford with a shocking secret and unfinished business that promises to tear her family apart.

 

 

Sam returns unannounced, striding into Peggy’s Bar like she never left — but her confident smile hides a world of turmoil. Spoilers confirm she’s been running from a dangerous situation abroad, and her reappearance instantly raises alarms for her brother Phil Mitchell, who suspects she’s hiding something big.

 

 

“Sam’s return isn’t a simple homecoming,” teased executive producer Chris Clenshaw. “She’s walking back into a minefield — and she might just light the fuse herself.”

It doesn’t take long before old grudges resurface. Sharon, who’s been keeping her distance from Phil, finds herself caught in the crossfire when Sam digs up secrets from her past. The tension between the two women reignites in an explosive confrontation outside The Vic that leaves both in tears — and fans stunned.

 

 

💔 Joel’s Heartbreaking Exit

While Sam’s arrival shakes things up, Joel’s storyline takes a devastating turn. The kind-hearted mechanic, who had slowly been rebuilding his life in Walford after a dark past, finds himself pushed to breaking point in a tragic series of events that will end with his heart-wrenching farewell.

Joel’s recent struggles with guilt and loss come to a head when he receives life-changing news. In Thursday’s episode, he learns that his health is deteriorating faster than expected, leaving him with a painful choice: stay in Walford and risk being a burden to those he loves, or leave quietly before anyone finds out.

The episode’s closing moments see Joel writing a goodbye letter to Whitney, the woman who helped him find hope again. In a tear-jerking scene, he leaves the note on her doorstep before walking away under the dim glow of the streetlights — a symbolic exit that fans are calling “one of the most beautiful and tragic scenes EastEnders has ever done.”

“Joel’s departure will break hearts,” said Clenshaw. “It’s a story about redemption, forgiveness, and learning when to let go.”

⚡ Phil’s Fury and Family Fallout

With Sam back in the Square, Phil Mitchell finds himself once again trying to clean up his sister’s mess — but this time, the stakes are higher than ever. Spoilers tease that Sam’s secret could destroy the family’s already fragile truce.