Chrissie Watts on EastEnders: Marriage to Dirty Den, time in prison, and vendetta against Zoe

Do you remember what Chrissie did?
Tamzin Meyer
By Tamzin Meyer

Tonight’s episode of EastEnders (Wednesday, December 24), saw the return of a very familiar face – Chrissie Watts.

As Jasmine began having second thoughts about her stalking campaign against secret mother Zoe Slater, she met with her boss – Chrissie Watts. She’s no longer sure if she wants to continue tormenting her birth mum, but Chrissie was set on their course of action.

It’s been over a year since Chrissie’s last return to the soap. Here’s our timely reminder of who Chrissie Watts is, and why she might have it in for Zoe.

Promotional image of Tracy Ann-Oberman as Chrissie in EastEnders
Chrissie’s back! (Credit: BBC)

Chrissie Watts made her return to EastEnders tonight

Chrissie Watts first arrived in Walford in April 2004, in search of her husband, Den Watts. She stuck around after that, becoming landlady of The Vic.

However, things soon turned ugly due to Den’s constant scheming and cheating. This included his affair with son Dennis’s fiancée, Zoe. He even got her pregnant as a part of their plot to manipulate Dennis.

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Matters turned violent when Sam, Zoe and Chrissie teamed up to take Den down. He responded badly, to say the least – and the women attacked and killed Den in 2005, in a precursor to the soap’s later Six storyline.

Chrissie, Sam and Zoe then buried Den under the floor of The Vic’s barrel store. However, Sam drunkenly dug up Den’s body on Sharon and Dennis’ wedding day. Sam’s brothers managed to reveal Chrissie’s involvement, and she went to prison for the crime.

Chrissie talks to Sharon on EastEnders

Chrissie returned for a brief stint in 2024 (Credit: BBC)

2024 comeback and reunion with Sharon

Chrissie made her shock return last year, when Sharon went to prison for contempt of court. Sharon was shocked to see Chrissie living in the cell next door – and still very much harboured a grudge over everything that had transpired.

Still, Chrissie was granted parole in September 2024, and released from prison. After reuniting with Jake Moon (who had somehow survived his 2006 exit), she rode off for her happily ever after… although she’s back now, seemingly set on revenge.

While the BBC are keeping the key details of Chrissie’s return a secret, we know that this year’s Christmas will be an explosive one.

What fresh havoc will she wreak upon Zoe and the residents of Walford?

Tracy-Ann Oberman smiles in character as EastEnders' Chrissie Watts

Chrissie served 20 years behind bars (Credit: BBC)

Tracy Ann-Oberman speaks out on her return to EastEnders as Chrissie

Of tonight’s shock return to the soap, actress Tracy-Ann Oberman said: “I enjoyed my return storyline with Sharon last year so much that when Ben Wadey asked me to pop back for Christmas Day, how could I say no? Chrissie is in my DNA; she is such a great character, so, I love the idea of her returning at Christmas to create havoc.”

But what’s behind Chrissie’s revenge trip? Tracy continued: “I think that Chrissie has always felt that’s it’s very unfair she spent 20 years in prison and has never really been able to move on from the trauma of Dirty Den and living in Walford.

“When the opportunity came up to have something over Zoe Slater, who she has always found to be an irritating little girl, she jumped at the opportunity. She clearly has time on her hands!

She continued: “Also, Chrissie, whilst being very hard and tough, has a strong sense of justice, and in her mind, Zoe never really paid for Den’s murder, and the part she played in destroying the Watts family.

Of her relationship to Jasmine, Tracy added: “What started off as a game for Chrissie, has ended up becoming a little bit of an obsession. And finding this gorgeous daughter, who was also hurt by Zoe, seemed like too good of an opportunity to miss.

“Also, I do think she is genuinely very fond of Jasmine. She’s like the daughter she never had. I think she wants to empower Jasmine to also get revenge on the woman who abandoned her. Chrissie thinks Zoe needs to take responsibility, and that’s her motivation.”

Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns.