EastEnders fans were left emotional with the unexpected return of a beloved character
EastEnders fans were left emotional(Image: BBC)
Fans of EastEnders were left emotional during Monday’s episode.
IN the latest installment (June 22), now streaming on BBC iPlayer, Chelsea Fox (portrayed by Zaraah Abrahams) made a big decision after her son Jordan (Jahsaiah Williams) returned home.
Elsewhere, friction escalated between Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) and Bea Pollard (Ronni Ancona) after Bea accused Billy of making advances towards her.
That’s not all, as the BBC soap delivered a surprise comeback for Karen Taylor (Lorraine Stanley), marking her first appearance in two years.
Karen originally said goodbye to Albert Square in December 2023 after a seven-year stay, during which she traveled with her partner Mitch Baker (Roger Griffiths), grandchildren Mack (Isaac Lemonius) and Mia Atkins (Mahalia Malcolm), plus Mitch’s daughter Bailey Baker (Kara-Leah Fernandes), reports. Daily Star.
After her move to Spain, Karen returned for several cameo appearances before her final departure in June 2024.
Now, ahead of the upcoming return of Karen’s evil former son-in-law Gray Atkins (Toby-Alexander Smith), actress Lorraine Stanley has temporarily stepped back from her character.
In Monday’s scenes, Chelsea tried to contact Karen after Gray’s grandmother Sheila (Sheila Ruskin) offered to help her son financially. Karen’s familiar voice greeted Chelsea via voicemail.
Later, Karen returned Chelsea’s call while Raymond Fox (Michael Jose Pomares Calixte) and Jordan played a game.
“Chels? Are you there? I can’t hear you honey,” Karen could be heard saying as Raymond and Jordan continued to play their game on the phone.
Continuing to issue a warning, Karen said, “Listen, I’d give that Sheila a very wide berth, okay? She was always close to Gray. She could do no wrong in her eyes. She tried to hook up with Mack and Mia a few times, but to me inviting her into your life is like inviting Gray.”
Devoted viewers raved about Karen’s fleeting comeback, with one X (formerly Twitter) user writing: “It was really nice to hear Karen’s voice again today and I would love a Karen and Mitch back at least a little or a cameo, I hated that they left.”
Another chimed in: “Wait Karen on the phone,” accompanied by crying emojis.
Sharing a screenshot of Lorraine’s name appearing in the credits, a third fan noted: “This in 2026, and it’s only temporary, is tragic to me. Lorraine Stanley’s departure from the show was not one of Clenshaw’s best decisions and Ben Wadey has the chance to put it right.”
Meanwhile, another viewer speculated: “They’re definitely bringing Karen back at some point in the story. She might come back and have a fight with Sheila and that’s when Chelsea finds out the truth about her being close to Gray. They didn’t want Karen on the phone just for her not to show up.”
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 19.30 on BBC One and can be streamed on BBC iPlayer from
