BBC/Composite: EastEnders Insider Share By Joel Harley Jul 28 2025 By Joel Harley Jul 28 2025 What's Zoe Slater hiding? All the newest fan theories as Alfie returns empty-handed We still don't know what Zoe is running from? Alfie Moon Zoe Slater Share By Joel Harley Jul 28 2025 By Joel Harley Jul 28 2025 Alfie Moon returns to EastEnders tonight (Monday, July 28), having failed in his secret mission to find Zoe Slater. Having been unable to secure the funding from Stacey, he’d not been able to find Zoe either, and so his mission came to a disappointing end. It’s only a matter of time before Zoe does return though, and with it, resolution to the question on everyone’s lips. Namely, what is Zoe hiding? Before she left, Zoe dropped a massive hint that she’d done something for which Kat and the Slaters would never forgive her. This has led to continued speculation as to what Zoe’s big shameful secret is. And with over a month having passed since her initial return, there are more theories than ever about what’s got her so shame-faced. Here’s our round-up of all the latest fan theories. Zoe’s on the run from her past (Credit: BBC) What’s Zoe Slater’s EastEnders’ secret? 1. Child adoption… but not Joel We’ve all heard the rumours that Zoe is local lad Joel’s estranged mother. Chatter on the subject has only grown since then, with the soap apparently hinting that there could be some truth to the idea in recent episodes. Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers There’s also the idea that Zoe could have had a child – and entirely different child – and given them up for adoption in her time away from Walford. “My theory is that Zoe had a kid and gave them up for adoption/left them in some other way. Not Joel. Just a kid we don’t know,” wrote one fan on Reddit. Are the Joel rumours a red herring? Fans are praying for a Luke return… but not like that (Credit: BBC) 2. Romance with her twin brother Ever since Zoe’s return to Walford was announced, fans have wondered what this might mean for twin brother Luke Slater/Dermott Dolan. The existence of Zoe’s twin brother has been left lingering ever since the events of Kat and Alfie: Redwater, which confirmed that he was living (albeit murderously) in a sleepy Irish town. On the same Reddit thread, another fan suggested that Zoe might have already met Luke – and unknowingly engaged in a romantic relationship with her sibling. “She’s met her twin but after she swiped right for him on Tinder?” this fan wrote. An unlikely taboo for the soap to cover, this one… even unlikelier than it ever acknowledging that Kat and Alfie: Redwater actually happened. Is Zoe hiding a drug addiction? (Credit: BBC) What’s Zoe Slater’s EastEnders’ secret continued 3. Drug addiction Another popular fan theory has suggested that Zoe might have turned to drugs during her time away from home. “Is Zoe on drugs, drugs past?” asked one fan on X. “she’s a chronic drug addict and owes her dealers,” another suggested. Could Zoe have turned to substance abuse? Jean fell victim to a scam last year (Credit: BBC) 4. She scammed Jean One fresh fan theory suggests that Zoe may have been responsible for one terrible incident in the Slaters’ recent past – Jean being scammed out of her pension fund. “I think Zoe could have been the one to scam jean, that is something Kat would hate Zoe for. But stealing that much money from family is something Kat would hate,” said one fan on Reddit. “It would be great if that was it. We know she can run a scam and multiple mobiles, so that she’d do that?” another agreed. Was Zoe behind Jean’s pension theft? Stacey turned to online sex work in 2023 (Credit: BBC) What’s Zoe Slater’s EastEnders’ secret continued 5. Sex work/extortion A sixth fan theory has suggested that she may have turned to sex work while she was away from Walford. But is that really so ‘unforgivable,’ given Stacey’s own foray into an OnlyFans-type site in 2023? “The only thing I can really think of that would truly disgust Kat is if she were pimping young girls to pay for a drug habit,” wrote one fan. Unforgivable? In theory, yes, although if Ben Mitchell can recover from the whole human trafficking thing… Is she Joel’s muvva? (Credit: BBC) 6. Fine… she’s Joel’s mother! Amid all of the above, the prevailing rumour that Zoe is Joel’s mother refuses to go away. “So Avani’s baby is Joel’s, who could be Zoe’s son. OMG slaters fowlers and panesars will all be related through that kid,” wrote one fan on X of last week’s events. “I’m calling it now. Prepare for another “You ain’t my mother!” “Yes I am” between Zoe & Joel!” said another. “Would not be a surprise at all if Joel was Zoe’s son cause it would make total sense that Harry slater is his grandad!” said a third. Is there smoke without fire? 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 Jul 28 2025 By Joel Harley Jul 28 2025
