EastEnders fans were over the moon when it was reported Michelle Ryan would be reprising her role as Zoe Slater, as they think they’ve ‘worked out’ her return storyline

EastEnders fans ‘work out’ Zoe Slater’s ‘return storyline’ (Image: BBC )

BBC’s EastEnders fans were over the moon last month when suggested Michelle Ryan could be returning to Albert Square. The 41-year-old TV star famously played Zoe Slater on the BBC soap from 2000 until 2005, and appearing in 559 episodes.

Zoe’s return isn’t the only one that’s been reported. Other classic characters including Max Branning (Jake Wood) and Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) both rumoured to make their comebacks later this year. With the exciting news, fans have taken to X, formerly known as Twitter to predict how they’ll be making their return – if the rumours are confirmed.

The character was involved in one of the most explosive and iconic moments of soap history – when she dismissively told Jessie Wallace’s Kat Slater that she couldn’t order her around, famously barking: “You ain’t my mother!” Only for Kat to deliver the explosive response: “Yes I am!”

Michelle played Zoe Slater on the show – the unexpected daughter of Jessie Wallace’s Kat Slater(Image: BBC)

However, some EastEnders fans don’t think Zoe’s back to see Kat – but Ross and Joel Marshall instead. Vicki Fowler’s partner and stepson joined the soap with her when she returned in February for Martin Fowler’s funeral.

Teen Joel has been causing trouble since he arrived – as his dark secrets have been revealed. However, one thing fans don’t know about Joel is the identity of his mother.

Now, fans believe it could be Zoe. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan penned: “Zoe left in 2005, Joel is 15/16 at present which means he was born 2009/2010. Zoe did move to Spain and had a job selling houses.

“Ross could have been a builder on the houses when they met and had a brief relationship resulting in Joel and something happened ending in a separation with Ross taking Joel.”

Ross and Joel joined the soap earlier this year as Vicki made her return (Image: PA)

The fan theory then recalls how Kat found out that Zoe was engaged in 2015. Zoe was also “on the run” for the murder of Den Watts – with the fan theory suspecting: “she could have adopted a false identity & done a runner leaving Joel with Ross,” – with Vicki never meeting Ross’ ex-wife.

Another fan penned: “I saw a theory saying that Joel might be Zoe’s son. I don’t know if that’s possible but I feel there’s lots of potential with that theory coming true.”

Many other fans were onboard with the theory, with one writing: “Oh that is interesting!” as another said: “I feel that Joel and Ross with the way they have been developed feels like they might be related to someone we know,” although they had their suspicions that Zoe could be “too much of a coincidence.”

Speaking on Michelle’s potential return to the soap last month, a source told The Sun: “Bosses have repeatedly reached out to Michelle over the years, but the timing has never been quite right.

“People are still talking about her character, so it’s a real coup to bring her back. She feels like now is the perfect moment — and there was an exciting script on the table.”

A spokesperson for the BBC offered “no comment” when asked about the reports of Michelle’s return.

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.