EastEnders fans convinced Walford icon is returning after two ‘giveaway’ clues from Jean Slater- but did you spot them?
The character has been absent from the BBC soap since December 2022.
EASTENDERS fans are convinced a Walford icon is returning after two ‘giveaway’ clues from Jean Slater- but did you spot them?
The BBC soap has seen a number of characters come and go in recent months, and now fans are hopeful one of their favourites could be about to make their long-awaited return.
During Monday’s episode, Jean Slater was seen arranging a fundraiser for Jade Green as well as caring for the teen as she continues to try and recover from her recent lung transplant.
Jade is planning to go to Bangladesh with her mum, Shabnam Masood once she’s better, but has no idea her dad – Dean Wicks – has been tampering with her medication to stop her from leaving him.
At one point, Jean was round at Dean and Jade’s flat as her boyfriend Harvey Monroe arrived.
Jean told him that she had called a doctor for Jade as her cough worsened, and Harvey warned her she was getting “too involved”.
But she replied: “Shirley is my best mate and I am just doing what I think she would do if she was here.”
Shirley, played by Linda Henry, is Dean’s mother and Jade’s grandmother, and was last seen on screen in December 2022.
EastEnders fans have been desperate for her to return ever since, especially now more members of her family are back in Walford.
That scene wasn’t the only time Jean referenced her BFF either, and it prompted a wave of comments on X.
One wrote: “Jean mentioning Shirley (her best friend) in yesterdays ep and in todays ep… let’s hope this is the beginning of the Shirley return… she’s gotta come and sort Dean out.”
Another added: “Shirley klaxon!”
A third wrote: “SHIRLEY MENTION FROM JEAN! bring her home.”
Meanwhile a fourth commented alongside a screenshot of Shirley: “A Shirley mention.”
EastEnders airs on BBC One and is available on BBC iPlayer.
