New spoilers for next week’s EastEnders reveal that the drama continues for the Albert Square teens following Joel Marshall’s (Max Murray) attack.
Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James) and Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd) were furious that the abuser was living back in their community, and alongside brothers Nugget Gulati (Juhaim Rasul Choudhury) and Ricky Branning (Frankie Day), devised a plan.
Classmates Denzel Danes (Jaden Ladega) and Barney Mitchell (Lewis Bridgeman) were also involved, as well as Lily Slater (Lillia Turner), who had previously tried to give Joel an opportunity to explain his actions.
The group lured him to Walford Park, making it seem like he was welcome to join their end of term celebrations. However, as the night went on, they tied him to a fence and soaked him in beer – filming his humiliation.
Later, events took a much darker turn. When Will Mitchell (Freddie Phillips) turned up, he instructed his younger pals to untie Joel. However, somebody had already done the job for them, and enacted a vicious assault on him in the process.
The police arrived and everyone was questioned, though they stuck to the story that they’d intimidated him and then he’d left. Harry Mitchell (Elijah Holloway) then presented a hammer to brother Barney, and demanded to know the truth.
Is Barney responsible for Joel’s head injury?
In forthcoming scenes, Joel wakes up in hospital with no memory of the events, and tells dad Ross (Alex Walkinshaw) that he doesn’t remember who hit him. There’s also news from the police station: the statements received all match up.
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Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig) tries to support her husband and sends him home to rest, before mustering up the bravery to visit her step-son alone.
This will be the first time they’ve been in solitude since he brutally attacked her last year. She finds out that Joel is due to be discharged, and begrudgingly allows him to move back in with her.
Meanwhile, the friends have a secret meeting which is interrupted by Ross. He’s suspicious and demands answers, and Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) steps in to send Lily home. There, she makes a startling discover.
Later in the week, Jean confides in Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) about what she knows, and together, they decide to tell the other parents. They’re still under the illusion that their children played no part in the crime.
Joel’s return to the Square is witnessed by Amy, Avani and the other teens, and he’s terrified about what will happen next.
The teens decide to question one another, hoping to uncover who is responsible. Unsurprisingly, nobody comes forward.
Priya Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James) and Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) plead with Avani and Nugget to come clean, but are interrupted by the news that Joel has requested to make his stay permanent. The family learn that Avani’s opinion will be taken into consideration.
With his future hanging in the balance, Joel pleads with Avani.
What will she decide?
Read more:
- 4 EastEnders spoilers for next week: Ian Beale faces prison sentence and Sharon Watts gets a shock
- EastEnders confirms Zoe Slater exit as legendary character tipped to be killed off
- EastEnders confirms Hollyoaks favourite cast as new detective for major Branning storyline
- EastEnders legend teases “dangerous” dynamic between Max Branning and Cindy Beale
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