EastEnders early release confirms identity of Joel's mum... and it's not Zoe
But is the soap throwing us a red herring?
Warning: This article contains spoilers for tonight’s episode of EastEnders, which is streaming now but has not yet aired on BBC One – in which the identity of Joel Marshall‘s mother is ‘revealed’… and it’s not Zoe.
EastEnders has seemingly confirmed the identity of Joel’s mother, as Ross received a phone call from his ex-wife out of the blue last night. As the story continues today (Tuesday, August 5), Ross confirmed that Joel’s mum had called to say that she was getting re-married. This left Ross and Vicki worried about how volatile Joel would take the news.
Amid the news of her impending nuptials came another interesting bit of information – Joel’s mum’s name is, apparently, Cleo. So not Zoe, then.
EastEnders early release reveals identity of Joel’s mum – and it’s not Zoe
As they chatted, the soap casually name-dropped Joel’s mother. “You saw his face turn when I mentioned Cleo,” said Vicki as she and Ross snuggled on the sofa afterwards.
Meanwhile, sneaking out of the house, Joel went to see Tommy, where he shared more insight into his upbringing. “I had a wicked social life. Loads of mates,” said Joel as he talked about his life in Australia. “And then Mum went and cheated on Dad, didn’t she?”
Do Joel’s issues with women stem from his feelings of abandonment by his mother? And who exactly is Cleo anyway?
Does this debunk the long-held fan theory that Joel’s mother is Zoe Slater?
Joel raged at Kat in EastEnders tonight
After Joel’s heart-to-heart with Tommy, the boys were caught trying to steal booze from the barrel store. As they were admonished by Kat, Alfie, Ross and Vicki, Joel hit back. First describing Vicki as a ‘melt,’ he then unloaded on Kat, calling her a ‘slag.’
Ross dragged Joel from the pub, but not before his son took a vicious swipe at Stacey on the way out (“ain’t you got some baps to butter?”). Clearly the boy’s issues with women aren’t going away anytime soon – and, as the week progresses, his behaviour only worsens.
As Ross and Vicki confront Joel over his actions tomorrow (Wednesday, August 6), Ross appears to be making some headway. Joel shows his dad a video from his influencer, leaving clueless Ross unaware of its misogynistic implications.
However, he’s unable to ignore a troubling video he finds on Joel’s laptop. Horrified, Ross immediately destroys the computer.
But what’s got Ross so rattled?
Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins star Dani Dyer defends her decision to sign up to show amid trolling
The mum-of-three, 29, took to Instagram after being criticised by trolls following an announcement about her latest TV endeavour.
View this post on Instagram
Dani Dyer shares Celebrity SAS announcement
Taking to Instagram recently, Dani revealed that she's taken part in the latest series of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.
The new series will air in early 2026. It features the likes of Love Island star Gabby Allen, Jack Joseph of TikTok fame, rugby legend Ben Cohen, and cricketer Graeme Swann.
Sharing the news on social media, Dani wrote: "So excited to finally share this… I’m officially one of the new recruits on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.
"Filmed out in North Africa, this was honestly one of the toughest things I’ve ever done in my life. Mentally, physically, everything. We’re not giving away too much just yet, but the new series will be coming to Channel 4 in January 2026, and I can’t wait for you all to see it. The line-up this year is amazing, and I feel so lucky to be part of it."
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Dani hit back (Credit: @danidyerxx / Instagram)[/caption]
Dani Dyer cruelly trolled
However, amongst the positive comments on Dani's post, one cruel troll took a swipe at the star's parenting.
"What is it with celebrity shows," one troll wrote. "Look after your 3 kids instead of your mum having them all the time."
Dani replied to the comment, writing: "This was filmed, actually, when Jarrod [her husband] was off from football.
"God forbid a woman has a career!!"
Dani then shared a screenshot of the exchange on her Instagram story.
"Sick to death of seeing comments about my parenting," she wrote.
"Nobody would ever think twice about saying this to a man, but as soon as a woman wants to go away for work, it's an issue? We're in 2025, how is this still being said?"
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Dani was defended by fans (Credit: CoverImages.com)[/caption]
Support for Dani
There was plenty of support for Dani in the comment section of her post.
"What is all the hate comments [crying emoji]. So when you have kids, the woman shouldn’t work/have a career? Some strange people around. I smell jealousy from everyone," one fan commented.
"It’s so bizarre, Jack Osbourne has just done 3 weeks in the jungle, he has 4 kids and one on the way, didn’t see a single comment asking him, but what about your kids," another replied.
"It's disgusting the hate, it's so jealousy, isn't it... They think when their a mum you can't work or can't have a normal social life,. It's just shocking the way people go on, especially in 2025," a third said, defending the star.
Read more: Lewis Cope supported as he admits Strictly ‘changed him’ in lengthy ‘sad’ statement
Celebrity SAS will air in January 2026 on Channel 4.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4Omwz6Lf8A
