BBC Share By Claire Crick Jan 26 2026 By Claire Crick Jan 26 2026 Shocking reason for Mark Fowler's return revealed in early iPlayer release as his lies come thick and fast Mark has a surprising link to Ravi... Mark Fowler Jr Phil Mitchell Vicki Fowler Share By Claire Crick Jan 26 2026 By Claire Crick Jan 26 2026 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 – in which Mark Jr’s return reveals his true colours. Mark Fowler Jr made his long-awaited return to EastEnders on Friday (January 23) – and with it, he brought chaos to Walford that is set to kickstart a shocking chain of events in Walford. From the moment he turned up on his uncle Phil’s doorstep, bloodied and bruised, it was clear Mark wasn’t back to see his family for a catch-up over a cuppa. And today’s episode (Monday, January 26), the truth about why Mark is really back in Walford is revealed. Mark’s back – but he is already lying (Credit: BBC) EastEnders Mark Jr’s return: why is he back? While Vicki is thrilled to see her little brother back in the Square, Sam and Phil are convinced Grant’s son was hiding something. Vicki instantly believes Mark when he tells her that he’s back to support her in Joel’s trial this week. She also believes him when he puts his battered fact down to being jumped on by thugs. Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers But the Mitchell side of the family isn’t buying it. Once Vicki has gone, Phil and Sam sit Mark down and ask for the truth. He tells them he works for a drug gang, roughing up people who don’t play ball. However, his bosses think he is a police informant, and sent him a warning by beating him up. Mark says he has been searching for the real informant and has narrowed it down to Walford. He tells Phil that whoever has been talking to the police is a dead man when he tracks him down. Mark tells Julie about Phil’s plans to leave Walford (Credit: BBC) EastEnders: Mark takes drastic action Desperate for Phil’s help, Mark begs his uncle. But Phil tells him he’s still planning to leave the country with Nigel later that day. Knowing he has to act fast, Mark does the unthinkable and double-crosses a Mitchell. When Julie gets home early from Edinburgh, Mark spots an opportunity and tells her that Phil is planning to take Nigel to Portugal. She is stunned and acts fast, telling Phil she and Nigel are moving into Elaine’s B&B (sorry, boutique hotel!). Devastated that his plan to keep Nigel out of a care home has backfired, Phil is helpless. Julie packs a confused Nigel’s things into a bag and demands her husband’s passport back. Mark’s plan works like a charm, and soon, a down-in-the-dumps Phil agrees to help him. Mark is connected to Ravi’s police informant drama (Credit: BBC) Mark’s connection to Ravi While Mark might be in the dark about who the police informant really is, viewers know it’s Ravi. As Mark tells Phil that the true snitch has a target on his back, Ravi is at home. Things are looking up for Ravi after his attack on Nugget. Today sees him make progress with his son when he gives him and Denzel money to have a day out. Ravi is thrilled when the day seems to go well, and Nugget’s panic attacks look like they could be a thing of the past. But with the walls closing in on him and Mark determined to clear his own name, it looks like it’s only a matter of time before there’s more trouble knocking on Ravi’s door. Read more: Are Mark and Zack actors related? EastEnders fans spot a surprising resemblance Share Good to Know Share By Claire Crick Jan 26 2026 By Claire Crick Jan 26 2026 Next Story
