What should have been one of EastEnders’ most suspenseful cliffhangers was prematurely unraveled in a shocking social media mistake that left fans reeling — and likely sent someone on the production team into panic mode.

The drama centers on Zack Hudson (portrayed by James Farrar), who has found himself entangled in a dangerous web involving the volatile Mitchell family. What started as a messy secret has spiraled into attempted murder, family betrayal, and now, an accidental spoiler that threatens to undercut one of the show’s most intense plotlines of the year.

Recently, viewers were gripped by scenes showing Zack’s car plunging into a lake following a dramatic confrontation involving Teddy Mitchell and his son Harry. The crash was a culmination of a deeply buried secret: Zack had an affair years ago with Nicola, Teddy’s wife, resulting in the birth of a son, Barney. The twist? Teddy had raised Barney believing he was the biological father, while Nicola kept the truth hidden — until now.

Tensions exploded once Zack discovered he was Barney’s real father. Harry, enraged at the revelation and protective of his family, attempted to kill Zack. But things didn’t go as planned. The car carrying Zack, Teddy, and Harry careened off the road and plunged into a lake. What followed was chaos, with characters — and viewers — left to wonder whether Zack had survived.

That question, meant to linger until the next episode, was answered far too early thanks to a behind-the-scenes (BTS) video posted by EastEnders’ official social media team. Meant to showcase the filming of the dramatic car stunt, the video instead included a massive spoiler: Zack, soaking wet and visibly shaken, is shown walking back into Number 43. Vicki Fowler and Linda Carter are seen nearly in tears — not from grief, but from shock and relief at Zack’s miraculous return.

The premature reveal ruined what was supposed to be a nail-biting twist. Fans across Reddit and other forums were quick to point out the mistake, calling it “a nightmare” and predicting consequences for whoever manages EastEnders’ social platforms. “Someone’s getting fired,” one viewer quipped, while another joked that the team’s social media passwords were probably being changed as they spoke.

In the leaked footage, Zack explains his survival: after the crash, he swam across the lake to escape what he now believes was a calculated attempt on his life by the Mitchells. The tension between Zack and the Mitchell family now appears to be reaching an even more dangerous level, with Zack narrowly escaping death and realizing just how far his enemies are willing to go.

But the damage from the spoiler may be just as hard to escape. Longtime fans were quick to compare this blunder with another recent leak involving the iconic Queen Vic pub. Months before the storyline was meant to air, TikTok users spotted a “For Sale” sign on the Queen Vic during a behind-the-scenes video, hinting that Linda Carter and the Knight family were set to lose the beloved pub.

Now, with two high-profile mishaps in such a short span, fans are wondering if production needs to overhaul their social media strategy entirely.

Despite the accidental reveal, the storyline remains emotionally charged. Zack’s journey as a father — from ignorance to acceptance — is only beginning. The revelation that Barney is his son has turned his world upside down, and the implications for Teddy, Harry, and Nicola are equally enormous. Teddy, already emotionally devastated by Nicola’s betrayal, now finds himself sharing fatherhood with a man his son tried to kill. Meanwhile, Nicola faces the collapse of her carefully built lie, which has now cost her everything — including trust, stability, and possibly her son’s love.

For Harry, the stakes are even more volatile. His failed attempt to kill Zack, the resulting crash, and Zack’s miraculous survival are sure to fuel further resentment and rage. It seems unlikely that Harry will simply walk away — especially now that his actions may not have finished what he started.

Zack’s return home may have been leaked early, but the emotional and narrative fallout is still unfolding. He’s back — wet, bruised, and changed — and now fully aware of how dangerous his situation has become. The Mitchells, once seen as untouchable, are beginning to splinter under the weight of their own secrets and rage.

As for EastEnders as a show, this accidental spoiler may be a headache for producers, but it hasn’t dulled fan interest. If anything, the leak has intensified speculation about what’s coming next. Will Zack go to the police? Will Barney find out the truth about who his real father is? And how will Teddy and Harry respond now that their plan has failed?

One thing is clear: while the spoiler may have given away Zack’s survival, it didn’t spoil the storm that’s about to hit Walford.

The fallout from this twist — both on-screen and off — ensures that EastEnders remains as unpredictable as ever.