BBC/Composite: EastEnders Insider Share By Joel Harley Aug 6 2025 By Joel Harley Aug 6 2025 EastEnders debunks Zoe fan theory, but fans aren’t convinced: ‘got to be a red herring' Are they trying to throw us off the scent? Zoe Slater Share By Joel Harley Aug 6 2025 By Joel Harley Aug 6 2025 EastEnders appeared to put paid to the popular fan theory that Zoe Slater is Joel Marshall’s mother last night (Tuesday, August 5), as it revealed her to be a woman named ‘Cleo.’ This came with the news that Joel’s mum is getting re-married. Joel didn’t exactly take the news well, heading over to The Vic where he shared some choice words with Vicki, Kat and Stacey. Earlier, as he chatted with Tommy, he revealed how he blamed his mum for blowing apart his happy life in Australia, tearing apart the family when she’d cheated on Ross. Name-dropping ‘Cleo’ seemed to debunk the persistent fan theory that Zoe is Joel’s mum. But not all fans were buying it. Ross got a call from Joel’s mother, Cleo (Credit: BBC) Cleo reveal is a ‘red herring’ for Zoe twist, EastEnders fans predict Taking to social media as last night’s episode aired, fans shared their thoughts on the Cleo twist. And many had it pegged as a ‘red herring’ intended to hide Cleo’s true identity. “Hmm well I’m not convinced about this “Cleo”. It’s a double bluff. Joel’s too involved with all the Slaters not to be a Slater himself. He HAS to be Zoe’s,” wrote one fan. Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers “This whole “Joel’s mum is called ‘Cleo’ & she’s getting remarried” stuff has got to be a red herring. I’m still convinced it’s Zoe,” said another. A third theorised: “I get the feeling that “Cleo” could be cover name that Zoe has been using which means she may be in a bigger situation then we all thought.” Is Cleo actually Zoe Slater? We know Zoe is hiding something… but is it Joel? (Credit: BBC) Who on Earth is Cleo? After months of speculation, the soap revealed the identity of Joel’s mother to be a woman named Cleo. Fans had grown convinced, since news of Zoe’s return to EastEnders was announced, that she would be Joel’s estranged mother. The soap appeared to back this one up with a series of hints in recent episodes. Most notably, as Joel described his mum as a ‘slapper’ (a charged word both Zoe and Slater have used in the past), the episode then cut to a shot of Stacey talking to Zoe. Meanwhile, as many have pointed out, Joel has quickly become entangled with the Slaters through his friendship with Tommy. This would be quite the turn of events, should Zoe indeed be confirmed as his mother, making Kat his grandmother. Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns. Share Good to Know Share By Joel Harley Aug 6 2025 By Joel Harley Aug 6 2025
