EastEnders fans, brace yourselves — next week promises emotional chaos as Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig) faces a devastating betrayal that could tear her life apart.

Vicki arrived back in Walford alongside partner Ross Marshall (Alex Walkinshaw) and his teenage son Joel (Max Murray) last month, flying in from Australia to attend Martin Fowler’s (James Bye) funeral. Their return was meant to be a moment of family solidarity. However, it quickly became clear that they brought far more than luggage with them — they carried a mountain of secrets.

Initially, the spotlight fell on Vicki’s abrupt split from longtime partner Spencer Moon (Christopher Parker). While Vicki claimed Spencer had been unfaithful, Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) wasn’t so easily convinced. Suspicious of Vicki’s story, Sharon reached out to Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) — and the truth was uglier than anyone imagined.

It turned out that Vicki was the one who strayed, engaging in a scandalous affair with Ross — Spencer’s best mate — breaking not only Spencer’s heart but also a lifelong friendship. Sharon was horrified, but things got even messier when financial woes came to light.

Facing $50,000 of debt due to Ross’s divorce, the couple turned to Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) for a bailout. Sharon was livid when she discovered Vicki’s behind-the-scenes scheming to secure the funds without being upfront. Although tensions flared between the sisters, Vicki managed to patch things up — or so it seemed — and Sharon reluctantly agreed to help.

However, in a shocking twist, viewers soon learned that the debt wasn’t Ross’s at all. It was Joel’s. The teenager had somehow racked up a massive bill, and Ross, desperate to protect his son, covered for him.

Next week, the drama escalates even further. As the family tries to settle into life on the Square, the cracks beneath their polished image widen. Joel’s distracted behavior catches Ross’s attention as they sit in the café. Tensions soar when Ross confronts his son about his erratic behavior, and Vicki tries to intervene, hoping to calm things down.

But Ross snaps, making it crystal clear that he doesn’t need advice on parenting — especially not from Vicki. The harsh words sting, but the couple quickly patch things up. Still, the stress is mounting for Vicki, especially as Ross secures himself a job working with Teddy Mitchell (Roland Manookian) on a project in Dartford, while Vicki struggles to find her own footing.

Determined to keep her head above water, Vicki throws herself into the East End’s bustling drama. She tries to warn Zack Hudson (James Farrar) to stay far away from the Mitchell family’s brewing chaos. True to his impulsive nature, Zack ignores her advice and ends up issuing threats to Nicola (Laura Doddington), dragging himself deeper into danger.

Yet, nothing prepares Vicki for the shock waiting for her at home.

Returning after her fraught day, Vicki walks into a devastating confrontation. Ross finally comes clean about the real reason they had to leave Australia — and it’s worse than she could have ever imagined.

While the exact grisly details are being kept tightly under wraps, it’s clear that the move wasn’t just about debts or fresh starts. Whatever happened Down Under is dark enough to leave Vicki reeling — questioning not only her future with Ross but everything she thought she knew about the man she risked everything for.

With trust shattered and secrets spilling faster than they can be contained, Vicki faces an impossible choice: cling to the wreckage of her relationship or walk away before Ross drags her down with him.

One thing’s for certain — the Fowler clan’s return to Albert Square was never going to be smooth sailing, but next week’s revelations might just sink them completely.

Don’t miss these explosive episodes of EastEnders, airing next week on BBC One and BBC iPlayer — where secrets, betrayal, and heartbreak are the order of the day.