'He's the flash-forward gunman!' All the theories about why Sean Slater is back in Walford
The fans are busy speculating about the real reason for Sean's return!Sean Slater sauntered back into Walford yesterday, sparking delight and excitement among EastEnders viewers!
Sean’s return has also meant a flurry of speculation about why exactly the bad-boy Slater has come home.
From featuring in the New Year flash forward, to becoming a property developer, the fans are already sharing what they’d like to see happen to Sean!

Who is Sean Slater?
Sean is Stacey Slater’s older brother, son of Jean, and Lily’s uncle. He’s been living in Brazil – where Stacey is too – and running a restaurant.
He was last in Walford on Facetime in 2022, and before that he popped in briefly back in November 2021, and in spring 2019.
But it’s been a long time since Sean was living in Albert Square full time.
Sean arrived in Walford in August 2006 and reunited with his sister Stacey.
Sean soon built a reputation as a womaniser, having flings with Ruby Allen, Chelsea Fox and Max’s ex-wife, Tanya Branning.

Sean the psycho
Alongside wooing the women of Walford, Sean had also made a name for himself for his unhinged behaviour. In a bid to take revenge on Max for how he’d treated Tanya, Sean and Tanya even buried Max alive!
After she released Max, though, Tanya admitted to Sean she used him for revenge. Sean was heartbroken and his behaviour got even worse.
Eventually Sean met Roxy Mitchell and it was a match made in heaven.
Sort of!
With Roxy pregnant, the pair got married. But Roxy had a big secret: she’d had a one-night stand with her sister’s bloke, Jack Branning, and the baby could be his.
In one of the best ever Christmas reveals, the paternity test results were hidden inside a cracker and – of course – it turned out baby Amy was Jack’s daughter.
Sean was devastated. After a dramatic confrontation with Roxy on an icy lake, he left Walford for good.

More drama in store for Sean
If there’s one thing we know about Sean, it’s that where he goes, drama follows!
So the EastEnders fans were thrilled to see him back in Walford.
“I always forget what a handsome menace Sean is,” joked one smitten viewer. “I cannot tell you how happy I am Sean is back!” said another.
We couldn’t agree more!
Others were quick to remember some of Sean’s ‘greatest hits’.
“Sean is one of the greatest characters of all time,” one fan gushed. But another pointed out: “He could be a bit of a psycho to say the least.”
And another had a warning for Craig, saying Sean “can behave erratically”. Which is frankly a bit of an understatement!

Why has Sean returned?
It seems unlikely that Sean has returned to look for Amy, considering he didn’t know she was missing, which many fans have pointed out.
“Clearly not back just for Amy,” said one viewer.
Some fans are already speculating.
“I hope Sean returns with a truckload of money and buys Number 31 out from under Ned,” one viewer predicted.
Another had a simple, but very effective prediction, saying: “He’s the flash-forward gunman.”
Now that does sound plausible!
We can’t wait to see more.