Yahoo News EastEnders New Year spoilers: Lauren and cousin Penny return, George’s parents arrive
The BBC soap has lined up some explosive new storylines for 2024
It's new year in EastEnders there's fresh drama as Albert Square welcomes some familiar and new faces. Lauren and her cousin Penny are planning on returning to Walford, while George’s parents Gloria and Eddie make an unexpected appearance.
Plus, there’s upset for Whitney and Zack, and the local teens get themselves into trouble. It’s your guide to the EastEnders spoilers for 1-4 January 2024.
Lauren and Penny decide to return to Walford
We begin not in Walford but Paris, where we find Lauren Branning and her cousin Penny making a decision to return to London due to mysterious “events” that have taken place that evening.
Read more: Soap spoilers
Penny (now played by Kitty Castledine) will be seen arriving in the Square on Tuesday, but what news of Lauren? It’s all very intriguing…
George’s parents Gloria and Eddie arrive
A struggling Elaine is left shocked when she catches Cindy asking George if he’s happy with the life choices he’s made. But just as the publican is about to explain himself, in walk two unexpected visitors – George’s parents Gloria and Eddie.
As it turns out, George was adopted, and this reunion won’t exactly be plain sailing. For while Gloria is thrilled to be reunited with Gina and Anna, things soon turn tense between Eddie and his eldest granddaughter. And later, those tensions increase further when Gloria reveals a shocking truth to George.
He will then be seen sneaking off to meet with Cindy, to whom he reveals all about his adoption. The pair then try to unearth some more information but are left shocked by what they find. However, it’s Elaine who’s left consoling George when he finally offloads and breaks down in her arms.
Events then take a further turn at the week’s end when George invites Gloria and Eddie to a family dinner to get answers. But a huge row breaks out when Eddie’s rude comments to Gina rub Cindy up the wrong way. But later, when George and Gloria have a meaningful chat, she shares some invaluable insights into his heritage.
Fostering trauma for Whitney and Zack
The year 2023 ends on an upsetting note for Whitney and Zack, who are seen breaking the news to Ashton that he’s moving to a new foster home.
It’s obvious that Whitney is struggling to cope, but Zack decides to drown his sorrows at Peggy’s in the company of Martin. Sonia, meanwhile, tries to bolster Whit’s spirits at her small New Year’s Eve party, but to no avail.
Out on the market later in the week, Whitney shows Sonia an image of Ashton looking settled in his new foster home as she attempts to come to terms with his abrupt departure. But, by Thursday, Whit will be seen breaking down on a visit to Peach’s tree at the allotment, where she’s comforted by Yolande, who shares her own experiences of fostering. After their heart-to-heart chat, Whitney reaches a decision about the future and heads back to No 38.
Denzel lashes out and gets in a hot mess
The New Year plans of the Walford teens take a turn they weren’t expecting when one of them steals a case of beer from the Minute Mart. Before too long, Patrick and Yolande discover what they’ve been up to, while the teenagers themselves are left mortified when they realise that the stolen beer is alcohol-free.
Yolande, though, agrees to keep their secret in exchange for a favour: she wants the gang to deliver church leaflets. But Denzel is left alarmed when it’s suggested that something is going on between Yolande and Pastor Clayton. And after reluctantly agreeing to help at the local soup kitchen, Denzel misconstrues a situation between the Pastor and Yolande and ends up tipping hot curry over him!
EastEnders airs on BBC One Monday to Thursdays, and streams on iPlayer.
