Zoe Arrested After Her Past Revealed | EastEnders

Christmas in Walford is meant to be a time of warmth, forgiveness, and togetherness—but for Zoe Slater, the festive season is about to descend into pure nightmare. According to explosive EastEnders spoilers, what begins as a fragile attempt to reclaim joy quickly spirals into chaos, shocking revelations, and devastating consequences that will leave the Square forever changed.

Zoe is already hanging by a thread as Christmas approaches. Haunted by relentless stalking and tormented by the unresolved mystery surrounding her missing twins, she is barely managing to hold herself together. The emotional strain has pushed her to the brink, and every knock at the door or unexpected sound sends her anxiety soaring. While Zoe tries to remain strong, the weight of her past and the fear of what she may yet uncover threaten to overwhelm her entirely.

Determined not to let Zoe crumble, Kat Slater takes it upon herself to give her cousin a proper Christmas—one filled with love, laughter, and a sense of family. Kat is convinced that joy and community might be the very things Zoe needs to survive this dark chapter. Still reeling after being cruelly misled by Anthony Truman into believing her twins are dead, Kat goes above and beyond to lift Zoe’s spirits, refusing to give up hope even when everything seems stacked against them.

At the heart of Kat’s plan is a grand community feast at The Vic—a festive gathering designed to remind everyone what Christmas is really about. But while Kat busies herself with preparations, unseen cracks are already forming. Zoe’s mind is elsewhere, clouded by dread and the sense that something terrible is looming just out of sight.

On Christmas Eve, Kat, Alfie, and the rest of the Slaters try their best to distract Zoe from the constant threat hanging over her. Laughter fills the pub, carols echo across the Square, and for a brief moment, it seems like the worst might be behind them. Later that evening, Kat and Alfie head out to attend Yolande’s carol service, leaving Zoe alone at home—an innocent decision that will soon prove catastrophic.

It’s during this quiet, solitary moment that Zoe stumbles upon a horrifying truth. Alone with her thoughts and surrounded by the ghosts of her past, she uncovers a revelation so disturbing it threatens to unravel everything she thought she knew. The discovery shakes her to her core, setting off a chain reaction that will have far-reaching consequences not just for Zoe, but for everyone around her.

By the time Christmas morning dawns over Walford, the Slaters are preparing to celebrate their first festive day together at The Vic. On the surface, everything appears normal—decorations sparkle, food is prepared, and Kat throws herself into hosting duties. But Zoe is noticeably distant, withdrawn, and clearly still reeling from what she learned the night before. Her haunted demeanor doesn’t go unnoticed, especially by Kat, who senses that something is terribly wrong.

The communal Christmas meal begins with good intentions but quickly descends into tension when a long-buried secret is exposed. Old wounds are ripped open, tempers flare, and a bitter clash erupts between the Slaters and another family. Kat and Alfie manage to calm things down—at least temporarily—but the fragile peace doesn’t last. Underneath the forced smiles and festive cheer, resentment and suspicion continue to simmer.

As the situation escalates, Kat’s concern for Zoe grows. Sensing that events are spiraling out of control, she makes a drastic decision—clearing the pub and sending everyone outside in a desperate attempt to regain order. But moments later, everything changes. A shocking and irreversible turn of events rocks The Vic, leaving devastation in its wake and ensuring that this Christmas will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.

What should have been a joyful gathering becomes the scene of chaos and heartbreak. Another explosive revelation comes to light, reigniting hostilities and pushing relationships past the point of repair. By the following day, police arrive in Walford to piece together the events of that disastrous night. With multiple dark secrets now exposed, those involved are left grappling with guilt, fear, and an uncertain future. And as the truth surrounding Zoe’s past becomes impossible to ignore, the fallout proves severe—culminating in Zoe’s arrest and a future she never imagined.

Meanwhile, away from the immediate drama, EastEnders fans continue to prove just how powerful loyalty can be. Former cast member Rita Simons has revealed that viewers remain utterly convinced that Roxy and Ronnie Mitchell could one day return from the dead. Years after the sisters’ tragic drowning in 2017, fans are still submitting incredibly detailed storylines explaining how the impossible could be undone.

Simons has admitted that the dedication of the Mitchell sisters’ fanbase is unlike anything she’s ever seen. Viewers regularly send in scripts outlining elaborate yet surprisingly believable resurrection plots. Some are so well thought out that even she finds herself momentarily convinced. Given EastEnders’ long history of shocking returns, Simons believes nothing can ever be completely ruled out.

The speculation has reached such intense levels that fans now analyze every tiny detail of her life for hidden clues. A light-hearted TikTok posted from a theatre dressing room recently sparked wild theories, with viewers joking that the way she blinked was actually Morse code signaling Roxy’s comeback. According to Simons, this kind of reaction has become routine, with fans scrutinizing interviews, social media posts, and public appearances for any sign of a return.

She says her former co-star Samantha Janus is subjected to the same relentless attention, with fans equally determined to uncover hints about Ronnie’s possible reappearance. Despite the constant speculation, Simons takes it all in good humor and remains deeply grateful for the unwavering support. She admits it’s rare for soap characters to inspire such lasting devotion so long after their exit.

Adding another emotional layer to the current storyline, EastEnders has recently aired a historic meeting between Zoe Slater and Jasmine Fisher—one that viewers know is loaded with dramatic irony. It was confirmed earlier this week that Jasmine is actually Zoe’s daughter, with the devastating twist that Zoe remains unaware that both of her babies survived. Even more shocking is the revelation that Anthony Truman is Jasmine’s father.

In a quietly heartbreaking episode, Jasmine—reeling from her rejection by Oscar Branning—wanders alone through the Square gardens before spotting Zoe struggling with shopping bags. Stepping in to help, Jasmine initially receives a sharp response, but Zoe soon softens after noticing the young woman’s tears. Sensing a shared sadness, Zoe suggests they go for a drink, unaware she’s sitting across from her own daughter.

Inside The Vic, the conversation turns deeply personal. Zoe asks about Jasmine’s Christmas plans and offers comfort over her breakup, praising her beauty and insisting Oscar was lucky to have her. Zoe even reflects on her own past with Max Branning, admitting she once believed the world was against her—only to realize things could always get worse.

Zoe tells Jasmine she sees something special in her, sensing a kind heart beneath her tough exterior. She insists that good people eventually get what they deserve and admits that Jasmine reminds her of her younger self. Inviting her to join the Slaters for Christmas Day, Zoe unknowingly opens an emotional wound.

When Jasmine carefully asks whether Zoe has children, the question hits like a knife. Still believing one baby died and the other was lost forever, Zoe masks her pain with humor, claiming she never wanted kids and could barely manage her own life. Retreating behind the bar, she struggles to compose herself—completely unaware that her words have also shattered Jasmine.

As night falls, Jasmine sits alone in the Square, staring at a hospital wristband labeled “Baby Zoe.” Slowly, she looks up toward The Vic, her expression dark, determined, and unsettling. With secrets closing in and emotions running high, one question hangs heavy in the air: just how far will Jasmine go now that she’s finally found her mother—and what will happen when the truth finally comes out?

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30 p.m. on BBC One, with episodes available earlier on BBC iPlayer.