And there\u2019s even more to enjoy as 2022 kicks off, when the BBC soap returns to broadcasting 30-minute episodes for the first time since COVID restrictions impacted filming in 2020 \u2013 from January, three out of the four weekly instalments will be back to normal while Tuesday\u2019s outing remains at 20 minutes for the time being.<\/p>\n
So what\u2019s in store in Albert Square? Here is RadioTimes.com<\/a>\u2018s epic guide to EastEnders\u00a0in 2022!<\/p> Chelsea Atkins (Zaraah Abrahams) starts 2022 trapped in a marriage to abusive Gray Atkins (Toby-Alexander Smith), and getting away from her homicidal husband won\u2019t be easy with baby Jordan fighting for his life in hospital. \u201cGray ups the ante with his manipulation, using Chelsea\u2019s fragile state to his advantage,\u201d says our Walford insider. \u201cWhitney Dean (Shona McGarty) and Kheerat Panesar (Jaz Deol) are determined to to help catch him out and get justice for Chantelle \u2013 it\u2019s only a matter of time before Gray gets his comeuppance.\u201d And with Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) renewing her search for missing Tina, could she be the one to expose his killing spree?<\/p>\n The truth that Zack Hudson (James Farrar) drove Jade and baby Alyssa away is out, and Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) is furious her own brother\u2019s actions mean she may never her granddaughter again. Remorseful Zack is determined to make things right with Sharon, so is this really the last we\u2019ve seen of dead Denny\u2019s little girl? And can the siblings ever put this fallout behind them?<\/p>\n A snap decision over the festive period sees Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) in serious trouble and Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) teaming up with his old flame Sharon to save him from the long arm of the law. But our soap snoop teases there are bigger problems just around the corner as the hard man rings in the new year: \u201cPhil faces his biggest challenge and will be forced to make the ultimate decision that puts everything he believes as a Mitchell to the test\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The sinister extent to which Aaron Monroe (Charlie Wernham) is embroiled in far right extremism became apparent over the terrifying events of Christmas, and the sly city slicker\u2019s loved ones could end up being the ones paying the price for his ill-advised ideology. \u201cIt\u2019s make or break for the Monroe family at the start of 2022,\u201d says our source. \u201cThere are huge decision to be made that will have a lasting impact on Walford\u2019s newest clan.\u201d<\/p>\n Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) had a busy 2021 \u2013 she came out of prison with a new wife, resisted saying \u2018I told you so,\u2019 when Ruby\u2019s lies were exposed and was briefly reunited with big brother Sean. So what\u2019s in store for 2022? \u201cStacey has a new business venture, and hopes she might hit the jackpot with her love life too,\u201d whispers our source. \u201cBut when Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) demands her attention elsewhere, Stacey has to step up and struggles to get Kat on side.\u201d What dramas are about to befall the sassy Slater clan?<\/p>\n Stressed Stuart Highway (Ricky Champ) continues to ignore his recent cancer diagnosis, with only Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) in the know as he refuses to fill in Rainie Highway (Tanya Franks) and Callum Highway (Tony Clay) in on the tragic truth. \u201cHe is determined to bury his head in the sand, even when it comes to treatment,\u201d sighs our spokesperson. \u201cThe Highways have a lot to figure out.\u201d You can say that again\u2026<\/p>\n It\u2019s not just cancer Stu is facing, it\u2019s also impending fatherhood as the due date for surrogate mum Bernie Taylor (Clair Norris) approaches. The pregnant teen fled the Square to get some space and is due back in the early part of 2022. While she was away, could she have had second thoughts about giving the baby up? \u201cThe Highways have a lot to figure out \u2013 Rainie and Stuart are desperate to make their dreams of being a family come true. However, will everything go to plan as Bernie returns?\u201d<\/p>\n Dotty Cotton (Milly Zero) is public enemy number one after she and Uncle Rocky Cotton (Brian Conley) had their scam= exposed over Christmas, so she could do with a friend as she hits rock bottom. Pity she hasn\u2019t got any \u2013 yet. \u201cDotty has been outcast since the recent revelations,\u201d reveals our source. \u201cShe refuses to become like either of her damaged parents, but can you ever escape your family? When she has no one left to turn to she leans on Vinny Panesar (Shiv Jalota) for support and finds an unlikely alliance.\u201d Can dastardly Dotty be trusted as she tries to atone for her sins, or is she more like dad Nasty Nick than she realises?<\/p>\n The surprise appearance of Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) over Christmas was a treat for fans, but appeared to put the final nail in the coffin of the Carter marriage and Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) faces a lonely start to the new year \u2013 although he has got a shoulder to cry on\u2026 \u201cJanine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) is seriously falling for Mick,\u201d grins our insider. \u201cShe is fully prepared to play the long game, despite everyone at the Vic missing Linda.\u201d How long can Mick resist the naughty Ms Butcher\u2019s allure? By the time Linda makes her full-time return later in 2022, maybe Janine will be the next Mrs Carter?!<\/p>\n Sozzled Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal) trying to plant a shock kiss on horrified Honey Mitchell (Emma Barton) was one of the most unexpected moments of 2021, and continues to haunt the menacing matriarch in the new year when her ex-employee confronts her. \u201cSuki has to face her fears when she is confronted by Honey about her true feelings,\u201d teases her soap spy. \u201cWith her guard firmly up, she clashes with daughter Ash Panesar (Gurlaine Kaur Garcha) and takes things a step too far.\u201d We\u2019d also advise you to keep an eye on Suki and Eve Unwin (Heather Peace) \u2013 anyone else detect a dangerous frisson between the enemies that could develop into forbidden passion?<\/p>\n Callum and Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) got their happy ending in 2021 as they tied the knot and settled into married life. Get ready for all that to change in the coming year as an unexpected incident throws the couple into a dark new chapter\u2026 \u201cBen finds out the trauma of his past is never far away, creating fresh trials for his relationship. Callum enlists extra help when he sees his husband is struggling, but will he be able to do enough?\u201d<\/p>\n It all came crashing down for Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton) in 2021 when her plot to frame Stacey was uncovered and she was framed by vengeful Jean for drug dealing, then rejected by hubby Martin for her deceit. As she started her prison sentence Ruby discovered she was pregnant for real, having lied to her other half she was expecting to stop him leaving her, so when Lytton returns from maternity leave at some point in 2022 will she have a baby Fowler in tow? And will she want to make amends with Martin, Stacey and Jean or take revenge on them all?!<\/p>\n Big news kicks off an eventful new year in Walford! <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":0,"template":"","categories":[2,5],"acf":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Big news kicks off an eventful new year in Walford!","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/9382"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9382"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9382"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}The end for Gray \u2013 at last!<\/h2>\n
![\""eastenders\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2021\/08\/22958443-low_res-eastenders-july-september-2021-b251cc8.jpg?quality=90&crop=17px%2C52px%2C1966px%2C1310px&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"EastEnders\\"")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\nZack\u2019s desperate plea<\/h2>\n
Phil banged up?<\/h2>\n
![\""EMBARGO\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2021\/11\/23700294-high--03af181.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"EMBARGO\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\nAaron puts his family in danger<\/h2>\n
New love for Stacey<\/h2>\n
![\""eastenders\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2020\/09\/21027289-high_res-eastenders-september-december-2020-8b638b8.jpg?quality=90&crop=41px%2C0px%2C4201px%2C2799px&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"eastenders-stacey-returns\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\nStuart rejects cancer treatment<\/h2>\n
Bernie returns \u2013 with or without the baby?<\/h2>\n
![\""eastenders\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2021\/02\/22073820-high--4d52f4a.jpg?quality=90&crop=41px%2C28px%2C4160px%2C2771px&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"EastEnders\\"")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\nDotty finds an ally<\/h2>\n
Janine plays dirty to get Mick<\/h2>\n
![\""EMBARGO\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2021\/11\/23689996-high--1158a4d.jpg?quality=90&crop=41px%2C0px%2C4160px%2C2771px&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"EMBARGO\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\nHoney and Suki\u2019s showdown<\/h2>\n
Trauma for Ballum<\/h2>\n
![\""eastenders\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2020\/06\/eastenders-ben-callum-2fab650.jpg?quality=90&crop=19px%2C13px%2C1962px%2C1307px&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"eastenders-ben-callum\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\nRuby back with a bombshell?<\/h2>\n
","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"