6 EastEnders spoilers next week: Lily’s pregnancy choice as Linda returns

By Laura Denby

Published: Tuesday, 10 January 2023 at 12:00 am

The new year continues to bring turmoil and trauma to the locals of Walford, as Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) and Martin Fowler (James Bye) come to terms with daughter Lily Slater’s (Lillia Turner) shocking pregnancy. Plus, Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) returns in the aftermath of Christmas Day’s drama – and she’s furious with Alfie Moon (Shane Richie).

Meanwhile, father-to-be Zack Hudson (James Farrar) must face up to something life-changing – but what? Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) isn’t convinced by Denise Fox’s (Diane Parish) words, but he moves on by charming her daughter Chelsea (Zaraah Abrahams)! Also, Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold) plans her wedding to Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick), but ends up receiving a sad reminder of her past; while Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) must decide where her future lies – with Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen) or her “faaaamily”?

Read on for all your EastEnders spoilers from 16th – 19th January 2023.

6 EastEnders spoilers next week

1. Lily Slater makes a decision about her pregnancy

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Lillia Turner as Lily Slater in EastEnders.
BBC

Stacey was completely floored over the New Year celebrations, when a carbon monoxide leak at the Slaters’ led to daughter Lily being hospitalised – only for a doctor to reveal that tests confirmed the 12-year-old girl is pregnant! What followed was a series of questions, until eventually Lily told her mum that she had had sex with young Ricky Mitchell (Frankie Day) – son of Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and Sam Mitchell.

At first, Stacey opted not to tell Lily’s adoptive dad, Martin; but as the fallout continues, he will be informed. And Martin desperately begs Stacey to support him into talking Lily into having a termination, but Stacey refuses. Later, Lily has a chat with her pregnant aunt Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty), who is oblivious to what’s going on. When Lily returns, she tells her parents she has made a decision. But which route will Lily take?

2. Grieving Linda Carter returns to news as Alfie Moon causes trouble

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Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) and Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) hold a vigil for Mick in EastEnders.
BBC

The Slaters’ money woes lead Alfie to look for work once more. But at the cab office, he is knocked back by his ex, Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace); and Kim Fox (Tameka Empson) also turns him down at The Albert. When Alfie learns that Kim’s sister Denise has the keys to The Vic, he enlists Patrick Trueman’s (Rudolph Walker) help to swipe them and reopen the pub to help the absent Linda.

Denise is left horrified when she finds the place open and filled with customers, with Alfie back behind the bar. With Patrick handing out free drinks, Denise insists they must get people to pay up – but Alfie pushes on, getting the idea to throw a party to banish the January blues and get the tills ringing. Kim tells Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) that The Vic is back open, and Sharon soon makes a call.

Just as Alfie thinks he’s onto a winner, Linda bursts in, distraught as she accuses Alfie and the locals of not caring that Mick (Danny Dyer) is dead. Later, Alfie gathers Mick’s friends and surprises Linda with a vigil in the bar – but it’s interrupted by the police. What do they have to say?

3. Zack Hudson faces up to his problems

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James Farrar as Zack Hudson in EastEnders.
BBC

Having recently been accosted by old pal Brett (Fabrizio Santino), Zack is not in a good way. But as a new week dawns, Zack focuses on preparing for a tasting at Walford East, pretending to be confident. But when Suki (Balvinder Sopal) and Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry) arrive and overhear Chelsea talking about Zack deserting Whitney and their unborn baby, Zack is rattled by their nit-picking and disapproval. When Zack smashes a glass and cuts his hand, he loses it and storms out. He realises he must face up to things – what exactly is Zack dealing with?

Later, Whit heads to her first baby scan, while Zack talks to friend Martin – who is unaware of what Zack is coping with. The chat leaves Zack steeling himself to take responsibility, and he is desperate to know the results of the baby’s tests. After he asks Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy), Whit hears of his enquiries and wonders if she should give Zack another chance. She’s a bag of nerves as she gets a text from the clinic, and Zack supports her. What will the results say? Whitney thanks him, but then asks him to keep his distance. Will she have a change of heart? And will we learn more about Zack’s situation?