EastEnders’ iPlayer episode is not on there today until it airs tonight on BBC One, so why isn’t it being shared with BBC viewers and do Zoe Slater or Max Branning return?
BBC viewers have noticed EastEnders isn’t on iPlayer today, but will it be on tonight on BBC One?
A huge twist to the format has been confirmed following new Executive Producer Ben Wadey making his debut, after replacing Chris Clenshaw. It’s his first episode tonight (Monday June 16) and to mark the occasion, he’s kept back the episode for evening viewing.
Normally each episode airs from 6am on BBC iPlayer, before airing that evening on BBC One. Since the news viewers would not see it on iPlayer until it airs on the TV later on, speculation has been rife that a return is on the cards.
The social media team for the BBC soap have done nothing to cool the rumours and in fact fuelled them further with posts. We could see through someone’s eyes in the multiple clips, showing them walking around and looking around Walford.
There was also the caption: “Knock knock, who’s there?”. Other hints may have been possible too, with posters and other things thought to spell out a name.
Viewers are now convinced it’s not on iPlayer to shield the big return of either Zoe Slater or Max Branning. Both returns were leaked by a publication weeks ago, while the soap has not said a word.
READ MORE: Soap stars reveal huge storylines ahead: Epic returns, unexpected twists and sad goodbyes
Michelle Ryan is tipped to reprise her role on the BBC soap for the first time in 20 years in a possible reunion with mum Kat Slater. As for Max, he left the show in 2021 and is thought to be returning amid daughter Lauren Branning’s ongoing storylines.
A spoiler from the episode suggests Stacey Slater makes a troubling call to Alfie Moon, leaving him with drama on his hands with what she has to say. It reads: “Alfie finds himself with another problem to contend with when Stacey calls him.”
Could this be about his stepdaughter Zoe following his third wedding to Kat his week? Has Stacey got some news about Max she wants Alfie to pass on to the Brannings?
Viewers will have to wait and see, but let’s hope the soap episode lives up to the hype sparked since the announcement! After all, a return has not actually been confirmed, but it’s been hinted something big is being planned.
As for the episode, spoilers give. nothing away about a return, let alone if Max or Zoe feature. It’s already a busy and dramatic episode without the return or no return.
Jean Slater is fuming over the press coverage of Kat, Alfie and Harvey’s wedding business, especially as it wrongly suggests Kathy Beale, who Harvey dumped Jean for, is his wife. Alfie is distracted by his phone, with a teaser clip hinting constant drama there before Stacey calls.
Jean then tries to sabotage the business as revenge but Alfie talks her down before promising to help her through her split. So is Stacey’s call to do with Jean? Or is that what the soap wanted us to think?
Elsewhere, Joel Marshall commits a sickening act as he gets pal Tommy Moon to film him on the tube. Tommy is soon left disgusted when he witnesses Joel pretending to fall on fellow passenger.
As he “falls” he touches Isla inappropriately in a vile assault. But Isla reports him when they all get off at the station, and he’s soon apprehended by a member of staff.
When Joel’s dad Ross arrives with his stepmother Vicki Fowler, they are alarmed to see Joel being stopped amid his recent troubling antics. Some fans are speculating that this is the scene where the return kicks off.
Finally in the episode, we see Elaine Peacock struggling after she cheated on George Knight, leading to her husband fleeing. As she tries to put on a brace face, George considers forgiving her only for her to take the apology the wrong way, and he soon flees again.
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .