The time has finally come for Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) to make her highly anticipated return to Albert Square, as a huge week kicks off in EastEnders.
All four of the week’s episodes will centre around one day in Walford, actress Michelle Collins has revealed, as Cindy Beale finally arrives back in the UK, having lived abroad under a different identity for over 25 years.
‘She arrives in the Square, and the whole week is all one day. It’s a very long day! The whole week’s episodes are one day when she arrives to whatever happens.’
So what does happen? Here’s exactly what we can expect from Cindy’s epic homecoming.
Kathy and Cindy’s almighty showdown
There is one thing we have been eagerly anticipating since the announcement of Cindy’s return more than anything else, and that is her inevitable showdown with mother-in-law Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth).
It seems we won’t have long to wait for this tete-a-tete, as Cindy heads out to findKathy almost as soon as she lands in London.
When Peter Beale (Thomas Law) is distracted by a phone call from dad Ian (Adam Woodyatt), insisting that he find a way to get Cindy back to France, she takes the opportunity to ditch him and head straight to Albert Square.
Having had no luck tracking her down in the café and trying desperately not to be spotted by anyone who may recognise her from all those years ago, she heads over to No.45, where she comes face to face with a shocked Kathy.
As you would expect from two arch-nemeses such as Kathy and Cindy, it isn’t long before fireworks explode…
‘The first person that she meets is Kathy and I think you can probably imagine what that’s going to be like! There’s never been any love lost there between daughter and mother-in-law,’ actress Michelle Collins revealed.
Kathy and Peter’s tense reunion
During her confrontation with Cindy, Kathy is stunned to learn that Peter is back in Walford.
Kathy and Peter left things on bad terms after he stole her savings in retaliation for her taking Ben Mitchell’s (Max Bowden) side after he attacked Peter.
When Kathy and Peter come face to face once more, they have a heart to heart, but will they be able to sort things out?
Actress Gillian Taylforth has previously revealed that Peter has the ability to get round Kathy, saying: ‘She’s hard on him but she knows he can twist her round his little finger.’
Could we see Kathy and Peter forgive each other, or will they be unable to put the past behind them?
Anna’s memorable 21st birthday
Amid Cindy’s dramatic return, daughter Anna Knight (Molly Rainford) celebrates her 21st birthday, but will it all go smoothly?
Of course not! This is EastEnders.
As the day dawns, George (Colin Salmon), Gina (Francesca Henry) and step-mum Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) are determined to make Anna’s milestone birthday one to remember.
Gina drags Anna to Fox & Hair to get glammed up, while Elaine and George transform the Queen Vic into a Spanish fiesta in a throwback to their Marbella days.
However, it isn’t all smiles and happy memories, with George growing overwhelmed by the emotions of the day.
Eventually, he opens up to Elaine about what has got him so upset, revealing how hurt and disappointed he is that Rose is missing yet another milestone in Anna’s life.
Elaine offers some comfort, but Anna and Gina’s arrival proves too much for him, and he soon steps outside to get some air…
Kiss from a Rose?
Nine years after she walked out of his life, Cindy is set to come face to face with husband George for the first time, in a completely unexpected moment.
As George exits the Queen Vic, he is stopped in his tracks when he spots Cindy across the street talking to Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), who is desperately trying to get her away from Walford.
Viewers will know that Cindy spent years living as Rose Knight while under witness protection, with husband George having no idea about her identity as Cindy Beale.
Cindy is stopped in her tracks when she spots her husband, despite Ian’s attempts to prevent them bumping into each other.
Unlike Cindy, Ian knew that the Knights were living in Albert Square, but chose to keep the information from her.
Now that Cindy and George have come face to face once more, will sparks fly between them?
It seems that that is unlikely when George hardens after learning that Cindy didn’t come to find him, and had no knowledge that he or the girls were in Walford.
With Cindy desperate to see her girls, George lies and tells her they are still in Spain, before taking her into the barrel store for an overdue explanation.
Peter rumbles Ian
Having failed to keep Cindy away from George, Ian retreats to the laundrette, where he is soon joined by son Peter.
As the pair talk, Peter soon realises the real reason Ian didn’t want Cindy to return to the Square.
Though Ian is clearly upset, Peter decides to head to the Queen Vic to celebrate Anna’s birthday.
Alone, Ian heads out looking for Cindy…
The past haunts Sharon
Ian’s hunt takes him over to the Queen Vic, where he bumps into a shocked Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) and Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden).
Viewers will remember the complicated history between these three, with Phil having known that Sharon was poisoning Ian during their marriage, in revenge for his involvement in son Denny’s death.
Following their surprise meeting, Ian tries his best to avoid them, which is fine by Phil, who makes it clear he wants Ian gone.
Sharon, however, feels differently, and she soon plucks up the courage to talk to Ian…
More bombshells for Kathy
The revelations just keep coming for Kathy, who is already reeling from the discovery that Cindy is still alive.
Woeful Ian heads over to No.45 to reunite with his mum after two years apart, and he has another bombshell for her.
Kathy is left stunned as Ian reveals Cindy’s connection to the Knight family.
However, that isn’t the last shocking piece of information that Kathy will hear…
Romance woes for Bobby
It is no secret that Bobby Beale (Clay Milner Russell) has a massive crush on Anna Knight, though things may be set to go south for the pair.
Bobby has already revealed his murderous secret, with Anna having taken the news well, but could that be set to change as Anna learns that Lucy Beale was her half-sister?
This is certainly a concern for Bobby, who confides in Ian that he is worried Cindy and Anna will hate him for Lucy’s death.
‘It’s difficult, that relationship, of course,’ actress Michelle Collins revealed about what the future holds for Cindy and Bobby. ‘He did something and he paid for it. He went to prison and he’s out, and that’s hard for Cindy to understand that.’
Wanting to check that Anna is okay, Bobby heads to see her at Peggy’s, but will she be accepting?
Soon, Anna heads to the chippy with Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier), still reeling from the events of the day.
When Bobby later tries to make amends, Anna explains that she thinks it’s better if they both just stay friends, given the circumstances.
Ill Alfie gains some house guests
With the residents of Albert Square reeling from Cindy’s arrival, Ian and Cindy seek refuge at Alfie Moon’s (Shane Richie) flat.
Alfie is having a difficult time of his own, having recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer, but could he strike up a friendship with Cindy and Ian as their troubles worsen?
Disaster strikes as Cindy reunites with her girls
When Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) lets slip that Anna’s party is in full swing within earshot of Cindy, she soon realises that both of her daughters are mere inches away.
Cindy makes a beeline for the bar and soon comes face to face with Anna and Gina for the first time in nine years.
The girls are obviously desperate for answers, and Cindy tries desperately to explain everything.
The sudden reunion soon proves too much for the sisters, and they rush to Peggy’s to drown their sorrows.
As things get out of hand at the bar, elsewhere George fears the worst.
He and Cindy desperately try to track down their girls, but it isn’t long before George’s worst fears come to pass…
With his world collapsing around him, George orders Cindy and the Beales to leave, before finally breaking down…
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