BBC/Composite: EastEnders Insider Share By Joel Harley Sep 2 2025 By Joel Harley Sep 2 2025 Zoe hiding baby secret, fans predict... but it's not Joel Fans are predicting a different baby twist Joel Marshall Zoe Slater Share By Joel Harley Sep 2 2025 By Joel Harley Sep 2 2025 Fans of EastEnders are convinced that Zoe Slater is hiding a baby secret… but not one that involves Joel. The fan theory that Zoe could be Joel’s estranged mother emerged earlier this year, as he joined the soap at around the same time as news of her impending return became public. Since then, speculation has only picked up, with viewers more convinced than ever that Zoe is Joel’s mum. However, others think that any such ‘signs’ could be a red herring, and that Zoe is hiding an entirely different secret. Could Zoe have had a child with a different man? Zoe finally arrived back in Walford last night (Credit: BBC) Zoe hiding baby secret, EastEnders fans predict Sharing their final predictions ahead of Zoe’s return, fans shared their thoughts on what Zoe might be hiding. And many wondered whether she might have had a child during her time away from Walford. “The abortion for her and dirty Dens baby did not work and she had a kid,” wrote one fan on Reddit. Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers This would preclude it being Joel, of course. If true, Joel would have to be at least 20 years old in order for that particular twist to work. “She and Anthony reconnected at some point and he cheated on his wife with her. Zoe got pregnant and she either put the kid up for adoption or left him with Anthony and he’s one of the two kids Anthony has with his wife,” another said. “I get the feeling that this baby Zoe may have gave up could’ve been Anthony’s. He was the one who took her money and did a runner leaving Zoe to fend for herself,” a third chimed in on X. “Could it be that she had a child? But then lost that child due to her own (actual or perceived) fault. Like an accidental death that happened because she was negligent or she got in a relationship with someone who abused the child, so she decided that made her a bad mother and gave the child up for adoption,” said a third. What’s Zoe hiding? Joel’s mother has been the source of much speculation (Credit: BBC) Is Zoe Joel’s mother? The prevailing fan theory, though, is that Zoe is Joel’s mother. Last month, the soap revealed that Joel’s mum is a woman named ‘Cleo,’ and that she’s set to marry again. Given everything we know about Zoe now (not called Cleo, doesn’t seem to be engaged), this would seem to count her out. But could the Cleo twist be a red herring? After all, the soap already pulled a similar twist off when it revealed that George’s ex, ‘Rose’, was actually Cindy Beale. Will lightning strike twice? 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 2 2025 By Joel Harley Sep 2 2025
