Shortly after Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo) returned to EastEnders, he revealed that he’s back in Walford because his daughter Jade is in hospital.
‘In all honesty, Dean doesn’t want to come back’, said actor Matt Di Angelo.
‘He’s sort of forced back there because his daughter, Jade is very ill. She has cystic fibrosis and needs a transplant, which has to be done at the hospital nearby.
‘Dean has to live there so he’s on call for her appointments and in case the transplant comes through, and they need to move fast. He’s reluctant because he knows the repercussions of returning, but ultimately, he has to help his family.’
Jade’s mother, Shabnam, gave birth to her after a one-night stand with Dean. Originally named Roya, being fostered saw the young girl’s name changed to Jade.
Coming up, Jade arrives in Albert Square and heads to the pub where she is befriended by Gina (Francesca Henry.
Dean then pops by and Jade heads to Zaair’s grave, Shabnam and Kush’s (Davood Ghadami) son who died in the womb.
After, Jade laments her own prognosis and rejects Dean’s attempts to comfort her, until a chat with Gina about absent parents makes her give him another chance.
Later in the week, Linda (Kellie Bright) prepares to face her first Christmas without Mick (Danny Dyer) and is saddened to learn that Nancy (Maddy Hill) and Lee (Danny Hatchard) aren’t coming home either.
Linda’s emotions are then tested when she receives a photo from Dean, who is dressed as Santa, with Ollie at the Beale’s Eels grotto.
She heads to furiously confront him where she lets rip and Keanu (Danny Walters), who is also there, ends up telling Jade that her dad is a sexual predator.
Jade is disgusted and decides to leave Walford, but what will Dean do next?
And will we ever see Jade again?
