EastEnders viewers slam Zoe's departure weeks before her final scenes
Zoe left to visit family tonight
EastEnders tonight (Friday, July 17, saw Zoe Slater tell Tommy that she was off to visit family away from Walford for a few weeks.
This news comes shortly after reports that Michelle Ryan has chosen to leave the soap, with Zoe due to be ‘killed off’ rather soon.
With Zoe now expected to barely be on screen before her big exit, fans have taken to social media to express their frustration.
Zoe’s exit from EastEnders
Tommy Moon was feeling worried tonight after seeing Joel Marshall back on the Square. He feared that Joel would target him because he’d turned a corner and changed for the better.
Zoe and Alfie assured Tommy that, even if Joel did say something, Tommy was a good person who had made the right decision. He didn’t need to care about Joel’s opinion.
Zoe then told Tommy that she was leaving Walford for a few weeks to visit Lynne Slater. She was going to help her with her new puppies. She invited Tommy to join her, and when he came back to Walford he could then stand up to Joel.
Zoe’s temporary exit comes after reports that Michelle Ryan has already filmed her final scenes on the soap.
A source told The Sun that Zoe’s exit will air on screen in the coming months, stating: “Michelle’s long-awaited return has been somewhat flat and lacklustre.
“There’s been a backlash about her comeback, leaving some fans disappointed with her on-screen presence.
“There has been some disappointment backstage that the return was shortlived as everyone loved the Zoe Slater’s historic moments.”
EastEnders fans fume as Zoe Slater leaves weeks before she’s ‘killed off’
With Zoe now heading off screen for a few weeks ahead of her upcoming ‘death,’ fans have now taken to social media to share their frustration over the decision. They would’ve liked Zoe to have more screen time in the lead-up to her big death.
One fan commented: “Zoe having a break when she’s being killed off in a few weeks time, oh this is going to be such a rushed exit.”
Another person complained: “Zoe’s exit has been filmed yet she’s going to Lynne’s for weeks before it? How quick is she going to go? She’s just going to come home & get hit but a bus at this rate. As a consolation, can she bring home a puppy & call it mini Zoe? Kat can keep it as a tribute.”
A third person wondered: “Offscreen death?”
Another viewer moaned: “So they’re killing off Zoe instead of that creep Joel? What?”
A final person added: “Why does Zoe have to leave this time (I know it’s holiday but still).”
Read more: Who’s leaving and who is returning to EastEnders this year?
