Two major bombshells rock Albert Square on Christmas Eve in early iPlayer release

Who saw that one coming?
Joel Harley
By Joel Harley

WARNING: This article contains enormous spoilers for today’s episode of EastEnders, which is streaming now on BBC iPlayer, but has not yet aired on BBC One – in which two massive bombshells are dropped on Christmas Eve.

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring… apart from Zoe Slater’s stalker, whose identity is revealed in the soap today. In a shock-filled episode of EastEnders, the mastermind behind Zoe’s mystery is finally revealed.

Elsewhere, Max Branning is blindsided by some upsetting news of his own.

Here’s what happens in EastEnders tonight – and how it will have dramatic consequences for Christmas on Albert Square.

Zoe looks shocked on EastEnders
Zoe’s in for a surprise (Credit: BBC)

Zoe gets a Christmas Eve surprise in EastEnders spoilers… and so do we!

As tonight’s episode begins, Zoe and Kat are on tenterhooks given everything that has happened recently. As Zoe distracts herself with a shopping trip with Jean (!), Kat confronts Sam Mitchell on whether she might be Zoe’s stalker.

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Read all the latest spoilers

Zoe makes a shocking discovery as Sam reveals her cancer diagnosis Wed, Dec 24

Zoe makes a shocking discovery as Sam reveals her cancer diagnosis

21 hours ago
Max and Cindy finally come face-to-face, Harry's on a revenge mission, and a shocking flashforward airs Dec 29 - Jan 1

Max and Cindy finally come face-to-face, Harry's on a revenge mission, and a shocking flashforward airs

2 days ago
Nigel visited by ghosts of Christmas past as his future in Walford is decided Tue, Dec 23

Nigel visited by ghosts of Christmas past as his future in Walford is decided

2 days ago
Pat and Barry are back, Zoe makes an alarming discovery, and Max spoils Christmas Mon, Dec 22

Pat and Barry are back, Zoe makes an alarming discovery, and Max spoils Christmas

3 days ago
Catastrophe at Christmas as Zoe makes an Earth-shattering discovery Mon, Dec 22

Catastrophe at Christmas as Zoe makes an Earth-shattering discovery

4 days ago
Max wreaks havoc on Christmas Day as secrets and lies boil over at the dinner table Dec 22 - 25

Max wreaks havoc on Christmas Day as secrets and lies boil over at the dinner table

5 days ago

It turns out that she isn’t though – Sam has cancer, and has got better things to do than harass Zoe.

That evening, with Kat and Alfie out at Yolande’s carol service, Zoe returns home to find a Christmas card addressed to her. Inside is a message from her son, wanting to meet up tomorrow.

Zoe is overjoyed, but there’s a surprise lurking in the shadows outside. Secret daughter Jasmine sneaks off to meet with her boss, having had second thoughts about tormenting Zoe.

And who is Jasmine’s boss exactly? None other than Chrissie Watts – back for revenge.

Max looks worried
Max recently learned that Annie is his daughter (Credit: BBC)

Oscar drops a bombshell

Elsewhere, Max tried to make things right with Linda after taking Annie on Monday. She wasn’t exactly in a forgiving mood, but Jack managed to smooth things over, setting up a meeting between her, Max and Annie.

However, Max’s time with his daughter meant he let down his son, Oscar. Bitter over being sidelined by his dad again, Oscar lashed out.

Mas was left stunned as Oscar revealed that he, Jack and Lauren had known the truth about Annie all along.

Ouch. That’s gotta sting.

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