In the murky world of EastEnders, where secrets, betrayals, and hidden identities fuel the lifeblood of Albert Square, a bombshell may be about to explode – one that could link the troubled newcomer Joel Marshall to one of the soap’s most iconic and controversial characters: Zoe Slater.

Joel’s arrival in Walford alongside his father Ross and Ross’s girlfriend Vicki Fowler raised a few eyebrows, but it was his shiftiness, aloof demeanor, and clear issues with trust and manipulation that truly set fans’ tongues wagging. Who exactly is Joel Marshall? And why does it feel like he’s running from something – or someone?

The answer, fans believe, lies twenty years in the past – in the form of Zoe Slater, a character last seen fleeing Walford in 2005 under the shadow of murder and chaos. Known for the iconic, “You ain’t my mother!” storyline and her fraught entanglement with Den Watts, Zoe left behind a trail of unanswered questions. And now, after a reported confirmation from The Sun that Michelle Ryan is set to reprise her role, those questions may finally be answered.

Fans have taken to social media in droves, connecting the dots between Joel’s mysterious maternal absence and Zoe’s long, unexplained time away from the Square. The theory? That Joel is none other than Zoe’s secret son – the child she may have had with Den Watts.

“Omg she can be Joel’s mum,” one fan declared. Others quickly piled on, suggesting Zoe may have faked an abortion, disappeared under a new identity, and left Joel in Ross’s care to protect him – or herself. The chilling idea gains traction when remembering that Zoe was not just on the run from Den’s murder fallout, but was emotionally shattered, isolated, and desperate.

But if Zoe really is Joel’s mother, what does this mean for the already fragile relationships brewing in Walford?

Joel, who has shown himself to be a schemer with deep-seated emotional baggage, might be more than just a troublemaker. His intense reactions, particularly around matters of loyalty and abandonment, could now be viewed under a new lens – that of a young man burdened by a legacy he never understood. If Zoe is his mother, and Den Watts his father, the psychological complexity of Joel’s character deepens tenfold. He is the child of betrayal, born into secrecy, and raised in confusion.

The implications for Ross, too, are staggering. Is he simply the man who stepped up when Zoe ran? Or does he know the truth – and has kept it hidden all this time to protect his son or his own position in the Square? And what role, if any, has Vicki Fowler played in this carefully hidden dynamic?

What makes this theory all the more tantalizing is the possibility of Zoe’s return igniting long-dormant feuds and tearing open old wounds. Her reappearance could be the key to unlocking Joel’s full backstory, but it may also set off a chain reaction of emotional detonations that threaten to destabilize the Square once again.

And for fans of EastEnders, the idea of Zoe re-entering the fold is nothing short of thrilling. With Michelle Ryan previously hinting “never say never” about a return, and now a credible report backing the rumours, it seems we are on the verge of another Slater family saga – one that could rival the drama of the past.

Could we see Zoe confront Joel face-to-face? Would she reveal the truth, or keep it buried? Would she reclaim her place in his life, or walk away for good?

And what of Den Watts’ legacy? If Joel is his son, the repercussions for Walford’s power structure could be immense. The Watts name carries a heavy weight in EastEnders lore – could it be resurrected through Joel, a new generation inheriting old sins?

Of course, EastEnders thrives on slow reveals and twisted unveilings. Even if Zoe does return, the truth may not come out right away. But with fan theories spreading like wildfire and buzz reaching a fever pitch, it seems the show’s writers have struck gold with this new mystery.

As autumn approaches and Walford prepares for another season of betrayals, returns, and family secrets, all eyes are on the Slater clan. Could Zoe’s comeback bring resolution – or spark a whole new level of chaos?

One thing is certain: in EastEnders, nothing stays buried forever. And when the truth rises, it brings everyone down with it.

Stay tuned. The next chapter is about to be written.