BBC Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google By Claire Crick 8 Apr 2026, 11:04 By Claire Crick 8 Apr 2026, 11:04 'This is grim' EastEnders fans turn on Penny as unthinkable twist airs in early iPlayer release Penny is playing with fire... Nicola Mitchell Penny Branning Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google By Claire Crick 8 Apr 2026, 11:04 By Claire Crick 8 Apr 2026, 11:04 WARNING: This article is full of spoilers for today’s episode of EastEnders, which is streaming on BBC iPlayer now, but has not yet aired on BBC One, and sees Penny make a shocking decision. Ever since she found out that she got her pregnancy dates wrong and Vinny might not be the father of her baby, Penny has been in a spin. Just to add to the drama, Nicola has discovered that her son, Harry, could be the father. And she has been blackmailing her ever since. Penny is in a right pickle (Credit: BBC) EastEnders: Penny does the unthinkable Yesterday’s EastEnders saw Penny decide to fake the DNA test to show that Vinny is the father. Despite not knowing for sure who the daddy is, Penny saw how stressed Harry was over his sister Ivy’s early arrival, and didn’t want to add more drama to his plate and risk his addiction recovery. Today’s episode sees Oscar helping Penny fake some DNA test results. The plan is to get Nicola off Penny’s back and leave Harry and Gina blissfully oblivious to everything that is going on, so Penny can live happily ever after with Vinny. Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers With that in mind, Oscar whips up some fake DNA paperwork on his laptop. He tells Penny that it looks legit, and Nicola will be none the wiser. Oscar helps Penny fake her DNA results (Credit: BBC) Nicola falls for Penny’s lies Later, when Penny is helping Harry with the accounts at the bar, Nicola comes in, having just got out of the hospital. Nicola isn’t happy to see Penny and Harry looking so cosy, especially after a heart-to-heart with Gina in the hospital had just made her realise how good she is for her son.Don't miss a single story! Add us as a Preferred Source in Google for all your EastEnders newsIt's important to us that you never miss our articles when searching for stories! We have all the latest TV news & schedules to share with our community of loyal readers. Click here and tick TVGuide.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search. Knowing that Penny could be carrying Harry’s child, Nicola sees red. Once Harry is out of earshot, she tells Penny she wants her to take that DNA test. Nicola is shocked when Penny tells her the test is done, and has got the paperwork to prove it. Stunned as she reads that Vinny is the dad, Nicola seems happy with the results, and Penny breathes a sigh of relief that she has fallen for her lie. However, Nicola warns Penny that if she ever comes between Gina and Harry, she is finished. Something which could come back to haunt Penny. This is Walford after all… and Nicola is a tired new mum with her mind on other things. Could she have a change of heart and want to see the paperwork again later? Maybe then she will realise that it is fake? Nicola seems to buy Penny’s lies (Credit: BBC) EastEnders fans aren’t happy with Penny Fans are complaining that Penny seems to have had a personality transplant. Convinced that strong-minded Penny would be honest and have the DNA test for real, they aren’t sure about this shady side to the character. Fans took to social media to share their views… “This is actually pretty grim and an awful thing Penny is doing,” said one fan on X. Someone else added: “I LOVE Penny, but she’s being so selfish. She needs to take an official DNA test or at least tell Vinny and Harry what’s going on. She’ll feel guilty either way, so it’s not a win-win situation.” Other fans think Penny’s lies are going to come back and haunt her. “I doubt Penny will get away with this,” said one viewer. Someone else agreed: “I enjoyed today’s Nicola and Penny scenes, although Penny is playing with fire.” Another fan simply said: “Penny, you’re in danger for doing this!” Someone else on Reddit pointed out that this latest twist is so unlike the Penny we all know and love. “I really dislike this nonsense they’ve done with Penny. “Get a real test done at the very least, if not, tell Vinny there’s a possibility the child isn’t his. This is the personality they’d established for Penny so far. Not this nonsense.” Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google Good to Know Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google By Claire Crick 8 Apr 2026, 11:04 By Claire Crick 8 Apr 2026, 11:04 Previous Story Next Story
