Things are far from calm in Walford in the coming weeks , and while Nigel’s film screening is supposed to bring the community together, it’s Kat and Sam who end up stealing the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

The pair have a long, messy history, rivalry, family fallouts, relationship dramas, and more than a few blazing rows over the years, so when Sam shows up unexpectedly, it doesn’t take much for old tensions to flare up again.

Nigel’s big day gets off to a shaky start

It’s the day of Nigel’s screening, and Lexi is in her element running the event at the community centre. She’s directing the show, sorting the guests, and enjoying every second of it.

Phil and Julie, meanwhile, are distracted. They’re still arguing over what’s best for Nigel, each convinced their approach is the right one. Even as the residents gather for the screening, they can’t keep their disagreement buried for long.

Sam quietly arrives, trying to slip into the event without drama, but Kat clocks her straight away.

Kat makes her feelings clear

Given everything going on with Zoe’s stalker, Kat is already on edge. So when she sees Sam, her guard goes straight up. The two women have clashed countless times, and their relationship has gone from tense to downright hostile depending on the year.

Kat wastes no time letting Sam know she’s not welcome. But her mood shifts when Julie casually reveals that Sam hasn’t only just returned, she’s actually been back in the country for months.

Kat is stunned. For someone who has caused their family more than a few headaches, Sam sneaking back into the UK without telling anyone certainly raises eyebrows. And with someone targeting Zoe, Kat’s imagination quickly fills in the blanks.

While Kat tries to work out what Sam’s really doing in Walford, Nigel takes the stage to introduce the film. But nerves get the better of him and he loses his place mid-speech. Julie steps up to help, and under the bright lights Nigel suddenly notices a bruise on her face.

Realising he caused it during one of his confused episodes, Nigel bolts out of the building. Phil and Julie head out after him, only to fall back into yet another argument about how best to look after him. Unbeknownst to them, Nigel overhears the whole thing before confronting them simply to say he needs space.

He ends up heading to the closed Vic, looking for some quiet.

Kat and Sam’s history comes crashing back

At the pub, the Slaters are doing their best to cheer Zoe up and focus on Christmas for a bit, pretending the stalker situation isn’t hanging over them. But everything changes when Kat comes face-to-face with Sam, again.

Their history makes it almost impossible for Kat to give Sam the benefit of the doubt. And with Sam’s sudden, secret return, Kat jumps to the conclusion that she could be behind Zoe’s stalking.

Kat doesn’t hold back. She challenges Sam immediately, demanding to know what she’s playing at and why she’s been hiding out for months.

Sam finally reveals the truth

For once, Sam is caught completely off guard. She realises there’s no avoiding the conversation now, so she takes a breath and tells Kat exactly why she’s back:

Sam has cancer.

She explains she came home quietly because she didn’t know how to face the family, and she specifically sought out Zack because she felt he was the one person who might understand what she’s going through.

Kat is floored. All her suspicions fall away in an instant, replaced with discomfort and guilt. Their past rows suddenly feel very small compared to what Sam is dealing with.

A complicated reunion

Kat is unsure how to respond, and the Slaters are still trying to protect Zoe as her stalker remains at large. Meanwhile, Nigel isolates himself after a tough day, and Phil and Julie continue trying to work out how to help him.

Kat may not be ready to forgive Sam overnight, but this revelation is set to shift the dynamic between them in a way neither of them sees coming.