Four massive BBC EastEnders theories: huge secrets exposed, beloved resident exits and family set for bombshell

NEW faces arrive in Walford this week while one iconic character finally comes back after 15 years of absence.

Off screen, EastEnders fans have figured out the many secrets that remain to be uncovered. Here's everything you need to know.

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1. Secrets revealed

The Branning family are due to welcome some of their own back into life in Walford following recent events.

As BBC One viewers will remember, some residents watched in horror as their Christmas celebrations - and wedding, in the case of Sharon Watts - turned into a nightmare.

Actress Kitty Castledine has joined the line-up of the long-running show as she was announced to take on the role of Penny Branning, who is none other than Jack Branning's daughter.

Penny was last physically seen in the Square in 2008, while she was struggling to warm up to the copper's then-girlfriend Ronnie Mitchell.

And while she was mentioned in the long-running show sporadically throughout the years, Penny was still staying away from Walford, mostly due to her lack of mobility as she is paralysed from the waist down and relies on a wheelchair.

Coming up, however, Penny has enough of a motive to finally return to Walford and leave France behind - and she won't be alone.

Soap fans were excited when Jacqueline Jossa reprised the role of Lauren Branning earlier this year, just as members of the Beale family were finally reunited on our screens.

The enthusiasm was turned up a notch when it was confirmed that the 31-year-old soap star would be making another comeback.

This week, Lauren and Penny are in Paris when they make the decision to go back to Walford together due to recent events.

But in later scenes, Penny arrives back in the Square on her own and Lauren is nowhere to be seen.

While there's obviously more to come, viewers have already begun to speculate what's ahead for both Penny and Lauren.

And according to one viewer, Jack Branning's backstory could be revisited as a result, which may be confirmed with Penny's arrival in the Square.

But during their stay, Lauren and Penny may also prepare themselves to settle down some old scores and deal with unfinished business.

"I think that's a possibility. Penny and Lauren coming back to save Jack makes sense", the soap watcher penned on X, also known as Twitter.

"Lauren's gonna rip into Eve, Suki, and Stacey for it. Penny might be ruthless towards people, too. Definitely think Jack's backstory is going to be fully explored."

Speaking of tying up loose ends...

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2. Whitney moves on

Whitney Dean is known to be set for an emotional exit and viewers of the London-based program desperately want her to have the happy ending she deserves.

The loveable character portrayed by Shona McGarty has had her fair share of trauma throughout her time in Walford.

But due to EastEnders' penchant for tragedy, it seems more likely that Whitney may face more heartbreak.

After the death of her daughter Peach earlier this year, she has decided to turn her life around with the help of her partner Zack Hudson (James Farrar).

The pair embarked on a journey as they decided to become foster parents.

Their attempts have been successful and they've been able to welcome a young boy named Ashton in their home.

Sadly, things won't be going according to plan for the couple in upcoming scenes of the London-based program.

It all begins when Whitney is woken by Ashton’s cries after he’s triggered by noises outside and goes to console him.

There’s also tension between her and Zack, as he struggles to connect to Ashton. 

Later on, this takes a toll on their plans as Zack and Whitney are devastated when they break the news to Ashton that he’s moving to a new foster home.

While Whitney struggles to cope, Zack drowns his sorrows at Peggy’s with Martin Fowler (James Bye).

Meanwhile, Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) attempts to cheer Whitney up at their small New Year's Eve bash, but to no avail. 

On the market, Whitney later shows Sonia a picture of Ashton settled in his new foster family as she tries to come to terms with his premature departure. 

The pair of friends then head to No.25 while Zack and Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman) leave to have their own drinks.

Whitney then heads to the allotment to visit Peach’s tree where she is interrupted by Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter) who shares her own experience on fostering.

She then breaks down in front of Yolande - what will she tell her?

After their heart-to-heart, Whitney makes a decision and heads back to No.3B.

Could Whitney decide to leave Walford there and then, tired of going through turmoil and ready to give up?

Zack himself isn't in the best spot to plan for a future due to his HIV diagnosis which rocked him to the core earlier this year.

This has led to one soap fan theorising that he may even die in the new year, and it may be enough for Whitney to finally turn her back on the Square.

How will it play out?

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3. Affair rocks the Square

What is Yolande Truman (played by Angela Wynter) up to?

After several years of absence due to her living a new life in Birmingham, the beloved character came back to the Square in August, 2023.

Soon after she came back, her former partner Anton tried to win her over again only to find out that she'd rekindled her relationship with beloved Walford resident Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker).

Eventually, the pair were able to get rid of Anton, blackmailing him about a sum of money he stole and threatening to turn him into the authorities.

This week, however, the possibility of Yolande keeping her own devious deeds under wraps becomes more likely.

The Walford teens decide to have an NYE party, and one of them steals a case of beer from the Minute Mart.

But when Patrick and Yolande come to check on them, the teens are mortified to realise the stolen beer is alcohol-free.

Yolande agrees to keep the theft a secret, in exchange for a favour.

Later on, Yolande orders the Walford teens to deliver church leaflets in exchange for her silence about the stolen beer from NYE.

Her request seems innocent but Denzel Danes (Jaden Ladega) is alarmed when it’s suggested that there's something going on between Yolande and Pastor Clayton.

Denzel thus reluctantly agrees to help at Pastor Clayton's soup kitchen.

Unfortunately, after he misconstrues a situation between the Pastor and Yolande, he deliberately tips hot curry on him.

Is Denzel imagining things?

Or could Yolande be plotting with Pastor Clayton?

Could they even have more of a romantic relationship, unbeknownst to Patrick?

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4. Family history comes to light

Meanwhile, George Knight gets his own family reunion ahead of the new year.

The former boxing champion portrayed by Colin Salmon arrived in the Square earlier this year to take over the Queen Vic pub with his fiancée Elaine Peacock and two daughters Anna and Gina.

While it was quickly revealed he'd been married to Cindy Beale, who he knew as Rose, the rest of George's pre-Walford life has remained a well-kept secret, which is all about to change.

It all began when Elaine (Harriet Thorpe) and Ian (Adam Woodyatt) became jealous as Cindy (Michelle Collins) and George take a trip down memory lane at No.45 on Christmas.

Sensing Elaine was upset, George thought on his feet and lied that he’d booked her a romantic trip away in a hotel. 

Elaine then continued to struggle as Cindy tried to insert herself into George’s life.

The Vic landlady is shocked when she catches Cindy asking George if he’s happy with his life choices, but as he tries to explain himself, he receives two unexpected visitors – his parents, Gloria and Eddie. 

Elaine is later concerned by George's reaction to his parents’ arrival, but he refuses to open up.

Meanwhile, at the Beale house, Cindy tells Ian that George was adopted.

Gloria is thrilled to be reunited with Gina and Anna, but it’s tense between Eddie and his eldest granddaughter.

Later, Gloria reveals a shocking truth to George - how will he react?

In later scenes, George wakes having spent the night on the sofa and lies to Elaine so he can sneak off to meet Cindy.

At a café, George reveals all to Cindy about his adoption and the pair attempt to find out more information.

But after searching, they are shocked by what they find.

Later on, Elaine consoles a broken George who finally reveals all and breaks down in her arms.

George invites Gloria and Eddie for dinner in an attempt to get some much needed answers. 

Things get off to a harmonious start, but it’s not long before a huge row ensues when Eddie’s rude comments to Gina rile Cindy.

George and Gloria then have a heart-to-heart as she shares some invaluable insight into his heritage.

With the firm secrecy around George's past, could his parents reveal a very dark secret about their own history?

Could George be staying discreet to save his parents from their own mistakes?

One could speculate that George's parents may be carrying a criminal secret George has no other choice but to keep for them.

What if George's adoptive parents had to get rid of his biological family to save him as a child?

Could George face the consequences of his parents' actions?

EastEnders airs from Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.