BBC/Composite: EastEnders Insider Share By Joel Harley Sep 1 2025 By Joel Harley Sep 1 2025 Where has Zoe been? All we know about her life after she left Walford Where's Zoe been all this time? Features Michelle Ryan Zoe Slater Share By Joel Harley Sep 1 2025 By Joel Harley Sep 1 2025 Zoe Slater finally returns to EastEnders tonight (Monday, September 1), after 20 years away from Walford. Zoe’s long-awaited reunion comes as she was tracked down by Tommy, desperate to form a relationship with his big sister. It’s already clear that Zoe is a very different woman to the girl who left Walford in 2005, having become estranged from her mother and the rest of her family during her time away. On Thursday’s episode, Kat revealed how they initially became estranged, telling Jean how her daughter had become distant over time. Kat will come face-to-face with Zoe again in EastEnders this week, but a lot of questions still remain. Where has Zoe been all this time? Zoe and Kat parted on good terms (Credit: BBC/YouTube) Leaving Walford Kat and Zoe initially left on good terms, with Zoe leaving Walford on a trip to Ibiza. In 2015, Kat revealed to the family that Zoe had fully moved to Spain. She planned to visit her daughter there, but was informed by Mo and Stacey that Zoe did not want to see her. Soon after, she received a text from her daughter telling her that she couldn’t see her due to her new job and boyfriend. Later that year, Kat moved to Spain herself, but was left devastated when Zoe rejected her. Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers Returning home to Walford, Kat revealed that Zoe had gotten engaged and now wanted nothing to do with her. Ouch. Kat hoped that Zoe would return for her wedding to Phil (Credit: BBC) Return to London and wedding snub In 2022, Lily managed to track Zoe on social media down ahead of Kat’s wedding to Phil Mitchell. Learning that Zoe had moved to London, Lily attempted to get Zoe to meet with Kat at Peggy’s bar, only for Kat to be left freshly heartbroken when her daughter failed to show up. To be fair, she didn’t miss much, as Kat and Phil didn’t last long after that. Zoe returned this year (Credit: BBC) Zoe returned to EastEnders this year Zoe finally made contact with her family in 2025 when she stayed with Stacey in her rented flat, while on the run from loan sharks. Arriving on the scene, Alfie discovered that Zoe was back in town, only for her to run away before they could convince her to see Kat. Alfie gave chase, back to Spain, but was ultimately unsuccessful in finding Zoe. His lies to Kat came out when Tommy discovered what he’d been up to, and set off in hot pursuit himself. Managing to get in touch with the elusive Zoe, Tommy finally met with his sister last week. With a full Slater reunion to come, what does the future hold for Kat and Zoe? 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 Sep 1 2025 By Joel Harley Sep 1 2025
