BBC Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google By Claire Crick 30 Apr 2026, 12:04 By Claire Crick 30 Apr 2026, 12:04 Upcoming EastEnders spoilers: Joel returns to cause chaos, Julie makes a shocking discovery and Honey's in danger Here's what's coming up on EastEnders Bea Pollard Honey Mitchell Joel Marshall Lauren Branning Oscar Branning Penny Branning Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google By Claire Crick 30 Apr 2026, 12:04 By Claire Crick 30 Apr 2026, 12:04 That was quite a week in EastEnders spoilers, wasn’t it?! And the drama is going to keep on coming as show boss Ben Wadey keeps on bringing the good stuff. In last week’s episodes, Nigel tragically lost his battle with dementia, Grant returned to Walford, Mo celebrated her 90th belated birthday, and Cindy and Max made their romance official, leading to all sorts of family dramas. There’s even more drama ahead in spoilers for May 4 – 7 as Julie makes a shocking discovery while clearing out Nigel’s belongings, killer Eddie Knight returns with a secret and baby Ivy makes a dramatic arrival in Walford. Read on for our pick of the best upcoming spoilers for EastEnders. Joel is coming back to Walford! (Credit: BBC) 1. Joel causes drama for Ross and Vicki Vicki was thrown into a spin when Joel’s sentencing was brought forward, and she was forced to face her trauma at the hands of the teenager all over again. As Ross and Vicki discussed the fact that Joel could be back on the Square before Christmas, little did she know her fear was about to become reality. Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers It has been confirmed that Maxy Murray, who plays the troubled teen, is reprising his role as Joel and has already started filming again. He is due to appear on screen in the coming weeks – but where does this leave Ross, Vicki and their wedding plans? Is Joel going to return as a reformed character? Or is Vicki’s nightmare only just beginning? Could Louie’s blackmail be a sign of things to come? (Credit: BBC) 2. Louie turns evil? After it was revealed that Louie was the one who had been blackmailing Vicki and Zack, fans are convinced this could be the sign of things to come. With Cindy as a granny and Max as a grandad, there is definitely scheming in his genes. Some fans even think Louie could be taking after his late uncle Steven… “Louie being the blackmailer reminds me of the time when a 12-year-old Steven sent evil pen pal letters to everyone in the square,” reminisced one fan on X. Someone else agreed: “Bullying Ollie and now blackmailing Vicki. I hope they’re not setting up Louie to become another problem for the Beales, like Steven and Bobby.”Don't miss a single story! Add us as a Preferred Source in Google for all your EastEnders newsIt's important to us that you never miss our articles when searching for stories! We have all the latest TV news & schedules to share with our community of loyal readers. Click here and tick TVGuide.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search. Other fans added: “Louie being a bad boy – he takes after his grandad Max!” while someone else echoed: “Yep, EastEnders is turning Louie into some sort of villain!” Josh and Oscar have hit it off (Credit: BBC) 3. Marriage for Oscar and Josh? Jasmine’s twin brother, Josh, has already spent the night with Oscar, not knowing he was his twin’s boyfriend. But despite the pair agreeing to be friends, sparks are still flying. Fans were thrilled to see that their prediction that the pair would get together had proven to be correct. But they also think this could be a long-term romance, which could even turn into marriage, even though Jasmine and Oscar are currently an item. Fans spotted in the flashforward episode that Oscar being with a Trueman was mentioned… but they think this reference was to Josh now that he is living with the Truemans, and not Jasmine. Could they be right? EastEnders fans think there is more to Bea than meets the eye (Credit: BBC) 4. Bea gets closer to Will in EastEnders spoilers It’s no secret that Bea is trying to muscle in on Honey’s life. She has got her feet well and truly under the table at Billy and Honey’s house and has done everything she can to make sure she stays there. Not only that, but Bea has also broken the law by applying for a credit card in Honey’s name. However, fans don’t think she will stop there. They think there is more to the story and that Bea could be Honey’s long-lost sister. Until now, Honey has been an only child, but could fans be right, and she’s had a sister she didn’t know about all this time? Other fans think that something will happen between Bea and Will. They have noticed the pair get closer as Bea manipulates Will, and they’re worried a grooming storyline is on the cards. While these are only theories for now, this is a storyline worth keeping an eye on! Penny discovers Vinny might not be the father of her baby (Credit: BBC) 5. Penny plays with fire in EastEnders spoilers Parents-to-be Penny and Vinny are loved-up at the moment, but fans have guessed there could be heartache on the way. Viewers think that baby Ethan in the EastEnders New Year flashforward could be Penny’s son. But if that’s Penny’s child, why is Jack caring for him and not her? Fans are worried this could mean Penny either dies in childbirth or there is an accident on the cards… but only time will tell if their theory is correct. We recently saw Penny fake a DNA test that showed Vinny is the father of her baby. Nicola might have bought her lies for now, but something tells us this lie is going to come back and haunt Penny when she least expects it. Phil makes it back just in time to see Nigel (Credit: BBC) 6. Nigel’s message from beyond the grave in EastEnders spoilers Poor Nigel lost his battle with dementia and sadly passed away at the end of April. There wasn’t a dry eye in Walford when it happened, and he has left a huge hole in Albert Square now he has gone. But as Julie and Phil try to adjust to life without Nigel in it, they’re in for a shock when they make a big discovery while clearing out his belongings. As Sam, Phil and Julie pack up Nigel’s things in the care home, Julie finds a letter addressed to her and written by her late husband. But what does it say, and how will it change things for Julie going forward? A special flash-forward episode revealed what the future has in store for Max (Credit: BBC) 7. It’s the year of Max Branning EastEnders made history with a whole episode dedicated to Max Branning’s future. Set on January 1, 2027, this explosive flashforward revealed that a tumultuous year is on the cards for Max – not least his impending wedding to a mystery woman. But who’s Max marrying? And what of the pregnant woman in his bed? Who’s the gunman threatening Oscar and Lauren? And does the baby in Jack’s care belong to Penny? So many questions! Thankfully, EastEnders promises to answer them all before the year is out. One thing’s for sure – fans won’t want to miss a moment of it! Libby’s coming back to EastEnders! (Credit: BBC) 8. Libby returns in EastEnders spoilers Among the revelations of Max Branning’s flashforward episode was the news that Libby Fox will be returning to Albert Square! Denise’s booksmart daughter left Walford in 2010, and hasn’t been seen since. Viewers won’t have to wait much longer for her return, though – as Max’s flashforward revealed that she’ll be back before the year is out! But what brings Libby back to Walford? Lauren has a big year ahead of her (Credit: BBC) 9. Lauren cheats on Peter? Lauren was seen texting someone to come and meet her in the New Year flashforward… but who was it? And does this mean she is having an affair? We recently saw Mark Jr flirting with Lauren as he test-drove a car. But was that a simple red herring? Or could it mean something more? Fans are convinced that Lauren has got a huge year ahead of her in the lead-up to Christmas. Initially, they thought Mark and Lauren would have a fling, but spoilers have revealed the pair going into business together… so could their flashforward link be more business than pleasure? As Mark manipulated Lauren into selling luxury motors at the car lot, things didn’t go to plan when she unearthed his dodgy ways. But Mark can be very persuasive… will Lauren change her mind? Honey is facing more drama (Credit: BBC) 10. Honey’s health takes a worrying turn As Bea gets her claws deeper into Honey… and now Ian Beale, it sounds like there is more drama on the horizon. The BBC has announced that a new storyline is on the cards for Will Mitchell as part of the BBC’s Caring Matters week in May. The special week intends to shine a light on unpaid carers and will see Will attempt to juggle caring for his sister Janet whilst supporting his family as Honey recovers from an injury. While the injury that Honey sustains is under wraps for now, it seems like Honey’s luck is going to go from bad to worse. Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google Good to Know Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google By Claire Crick 30 Apr 2026, 12:04 By Claire Crick 30 Apr 2026, 12:04 Previous Story Next Story
