EastEnders spoilers: Sinister villain makes shock return leaving fan favourite terrified

EastEnders was full of explosive scenes on Thursday night as an evil villain returned to Albert Square.

During the latest episode, Stacey Slater was anxious about her stalker Theo Hawthorne’s plea hearing, insisting she wasn’t going to attend. Later in the episode, Stacey was left frustrated when she learnt that the plea hearing had been adjourned.

However, this was the least of her worries as Theo suddenly appeared behind her, leaving the Walford favourite terrified. Theo said: “Hello Stacey” as she warned: “You can’t be here!” to which the evil stalker then pleaded: “Just give me 30 minutes to talk, it will be worth your while…” it remains to be seen what Theo proposes and if Stacey agrees to talk to him.

Viewers were left sickened by Theo’s return, taking to Twitter, now X, to share their thoughts. One person said: “No lie when I saw Theo today I nearly threw up nasty evil man #EastEnders”, a different account put: “I genuinely screamed & jumped when Theo appeared out of nowhere behind Stacey. It was like something out of a horror film! Another evil scumbag is back #EastEnders” while another fan added: “Now Theo’s back? Nah, don’t make me feel sick #Eastenders!”

In episodes next week, Stacey is left reeling when stalker Theo attempts to make contact on the day of his plea hearing, asking to meet. At first, Stacey is reluctant but she soon changes her mind and decides to go. At the meeting, Stacey tries to manipulate Theo into pleading guilty by promising to restart their “relationship” once he has served his time. However, Stacey fears she has made things worse when Theo reacts badly to her suggestion.

Later in the week, Jean tries to discourage Stacey from attending Theo’s plea hearing but Stacey is certain that she wants to be there. Martin and Jack support Stacey as she anxiously waits for Theo to give evidence. How will the evil villain plead? After the plea hearing, Jack comforts a drunken Stacey after she tearfully confesses her fears about Theo.

Jack takes Stacey back to No.27 to sober up where Sam, who is temporarily living there, tells Jack about her dislike of the Slaters. Once alone, Jack is shocked when Stacey admits that she planted the wrench on Theo to cover up Freddie’s actions and make it look like Theo tried to attack her. How will Jack react and will he report Stacey?

With EastEnders gearing up for a Christmas whodunnit, where Denise (Diane Parish), Kathy (Gillian Taylforth), Linda (Kellie Bright), Sharon (Letitia Dean), Stacey (Lacey Turner) and Suki (Balvinder Sopal) are faced with a dead body, whose identity is yet to be revealed, could the return of Theo mean he could be the victim?

Elsewhere, Stacey confiding in Jack comes as viewers have predicted an affair between the duo. The pair are linked through family and the past, with them sharing granddaughter Charli, the daughter of Stacey’s daughter Lily Slater and Jack’s son Ricky Mitchell. Stacey was married to Jack’s late nephew Bradley Branning until his death in 2010, while Stacey also had two affairs with Jack’s brother Max Branning.

With the two getting closer recently amid Stacey’s stalking hell, fans are wondering if Stacey and Jack will sleep together, and if this could link Stacey and Denise to the looming Christmas death – which will see a mystery male character murdered at The Queen Vic on Christmas Day.