EastEnders spoilers follow for Thursday’s (September 10) episode, which can now be streamed on BBC iPlayer. The episode in question will air at 7:30pm.

16 years after her Walford debut, Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) met a tragic end, crying out for mum Kat (Jessie Wallace) as the effects of a head injury sustained earlier in the day took hold.

The legendary show character, as viewers know, returned to screens last year after a two-decade absence, reconnected with her loved ones and was keen to find her missing son.

After enduring a stalker ordeal at the hands of her long-lost daughter, going to prison for the murder of Anthony Trueman, revisiting old wounds with former friends-turned-enemies Chrissie Watts and Sam Mitchell and getting to know her twins, Zoe left the Square to help Lynne with her dogs.

She returned to Walford this week and was keen to get her hands on Charlie’s cab, hoping it would signify the beginning of a new era for the Slaters as she met with the seller to make a deal.

However, things swiftly went awry, with the seller proving nasty and vicious. Zoe attempted to flee but fell and hit her head on some rubble before making off with the cab – without paying.

Kat was far from pleased to learn of her daughter’s antics and the situation grew worse when the aggressive seller arrived at the Vic to berate her, before punching Zack Hudson (James Farrar) in the face.

Tensions simmered further as Kat ordered Zo to apologised to Zack, but when a showdown with the chef ensued Zoe demanded that her mum fire him. Kat refused, which led to more conflict.

The situation weighed heavy upon Kat during Kim and Howie’s wedding celebrations, with Alfie (Shane Richie) recommending that she go make things right with her daughter.

Kat headed upstairs to do just that, finding Zoe reminiscing about days gone by – particularly that historic ‘You ain’t my mother!’ / ‘Yes I am!‘ showdown which changed everything for her. They made amends in emotional scenes, with Kat encouraging Zoe to get her head injury looked at since it was causing her pain.

Zoe refused, saying she would go tomorrow if it hadn’t cleared up. An emotional mother and daughter moment ensued, with the pair telling each other ‘I love you’, unaware it would be the last time they’d do so.

The pain intensified and thus Zoe headed downstairs to get some paracetamol. To her shock, she found ex Max Branning (Jake Wood) and Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) kissing in the barrel store.

Zoe was disgusted and stormed out. Horrified, Linda instructed Max to give chase and talk Zoe round so that she wouldn’t reveal their secret relationship to anyone. A showdown ensued between the former flames but Zoe started to feel horribly unwell, begging Max to stay. Max, however, believed that she was drunk and, having said his piece, he left her on her own.

Zoe cried out for Kat, saying she wanted her mum. But no-one came.

As the winds whistled through Albert Square in the small hours of the morning, there was an unsettling feeling in the air. Kat was woken from her slumber and, armed with an uneasy feeling, she headed out into the hallway to find Mini Mo meowing outside Zoe’s bedroom.

Kat entered the room to check on her beloved daughter and was utterly broken to find her lifeless body.

Zoe had died.

Next week will air the aftermath of the harrowing scenes as Kat struggles to come to terms with the loss of her eldest child. Walford will truly never be the same.

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer. 

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