Jessie Wallace, who plays Kat Slater, is finally set to head back onto our screens on Thursday 7th June. I don’t know about you but I think it’s about time too! I’ve missed her character so much; Kat and Alfie have always been my favourite couple on the Square.

New week on the program we will see Alfie leave the Square to pay Kat a visit, and he will then return with her a fortnight later. She decides to come back shortly after her aunt, Jean Slater, is conned out of her lottery money by Michael Moon, who is not only a relation of Alfie’s but the real father of her son Tommy. This shows that the pub landlady is sure to have some exciting storylines ahead. I know you will also all be thinking the same as me, “What about Roxy?” as she seems to be getting particularly close to Alfie, and rumours have spread that the pair are set to have an affair. Well when Kat arrives home the outspoken character makes it clear to Roxy that her days of living at The Vic are over, but will this still stop the pair?

Jessie has had a break from the programme due to personal problems surrounding the cancelation of her wedding last summer. Her split from Vince Morse was caused after he sent a sexual photograph of the actress to his ex-girlfriend. A family friend has commented that: “She’s had a stressful six months.”

However the popular actress has now moved on and found herself a new boyfriend. Tim Arnold, who is the godson of actress June Brown, who plays Dot Cotton, and the son of Polly Perkins, who plays Dot’s sister Rose in the program. The singer Tim is said to be smitten and has even written a secret song about her, he has stated: “Bet you can’t wait to hear it…It’s a secret — you’ll have to wait and buy the album”. The pair met when Polly introduced them to one another at last month’s Soap Awards, Polly has said: “I feel a bit like Cupid”. Additionally Tim has said: “I am very happy, she is a lovely lady”, and I’m sure I won’t be the only one to want to wish Jessie the best of luck in her new relationship!

So are you all looking forward to Kat’s arrival home like me, or did you like the idea of Roxy and Alfie becoming a couple? Let me know below or write to me on twitter: @susiefjones

Tuesday 22nd May, 2012. 19:30 on BBC1
Lucy continues to secretly cancel Ian’s wedding arrangements, whilst Mandy begins to wonder why they are rushing the ceremony. This doesn’t convince Ian to slow things down, as he makes a mad dash to find bridesmaids and a best man, and humiliates himself by offering Lauren and Whitney money to do the job along with a very surprised Fatboy who he asks to be best man. When the three refuse to be involved and Jack and Derek begin to wind him up, he loses control and throws everyone out of the café.

Later in the episode Max starts to feel sorry for Ian and offers to be his best man. Whilst at the same time, Mandy confides in Tanya and admits that she is worried about marrying Ian, mainly because of the strained relationship she has with her mum Lorraine. Tanya tells Mandy to speak to her mum before beginning her new life with Ian, she agrees and heads straight to the hospital.

Ian finds out that his wedding has been cancelled by a ‘Mandy Salter’, so he confronts her when she arrives home from the hospital. However, Mandy has other things on her mind when she reveals her mother has just died.

Meanwhile, Michael is still uneasy over the idea of Jean working for Janine, so he causes her to miss her interview with Billy by bombarding her with details about her investment at the boxing club. He is pleased to find that his plan has worked, until he is taken aback when Jean confesses that she still takes to Sean’s photograph. When Michael then reveals his own pain towards his mother’s death, Jean hugs him.

Elsewhere, Kim is compelled to tell Ray the truth about Sasha’s ‘talent’, but the conversation leads the couple to reveal their true feelings for one-another.

Monday 21st May, 2012, 20:00 on BBC1

With everything beginning to cave in on him Ian decides enough is enough, he arranges the wedding to be held later in the week so that the Beales can move away from Walford for good as soon as possible. However Lucy has other ideas and attempts to thwart Ian’s plans by involving Phil who tells Ian that fleeing now would look highly suspicious. Ian agrees to stay until an unwelcome visit from Janine brings home his money fears and he again changes his mind, determined to leave once and for all. Mandy is initially dubious until Ian bribes her with cash for a wedding dress. Ian soon works out it was Lucy that spoke to Phil and calls a family meeting with Lucy and Mandy in the cafe, stating that they WILL be leaving whether Lucy likes it or not. Feeling vengeful, and after a huge row with her father, Lucy goes behind her father’s back and begins to cancel the wedding…

Elsewhere on the Square Roxy has a heart to heart with Christian about her feelings for Alfie. Christian advises it’s time she moves out of the Vic though when Alfie pleads with her to stay and invites her for a meal, after a row with Kat over the phone, she changes her mind. Roxy heads off for the Argee Bharjee, full of excitement only to be stood up by Alfie after Jean persuades him to visit a lonely Kat.

 Also Derek and Tyler clash due to living under the same roof, Michael attempts to stop Jean getting a job from Janine and Kim’s plans to bond with Sasha over dancing backfire when Sasha shows she has no rhythm whatsoever!

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Yesterday it was reported that Steve McFadden, who plays Phil Mitchell, had to call the AA when his Rolls Royce failed to start on set. You would think that his character being a mechanic, would have taught the actor a thing or two about cars by now, or as my housemate put it “Why doesn’t he just call Jay?”. But obviously this wasn’t the case as the 53 year old actor watched helplessly, as a breakdown assistance service towed his car away. He was pictured wearing a black blazer with a white shirt and holding a drink as he watched his red convertible being driven away.

Steve had apparently just driven to the studio where the soap is filmed when the problems with the vehicle began. He was due on set to shoot scenes for Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) and Mandy Salter’s (Nicola Stapleton) wedding when he had to call the emergency services for help.

This seems to be the second let down this week for the actor as a few days ago he had to cancel his part in this year’s RNLI Castle to Castle Swim in Cornwall, because the event clashes with the Diamond Jubilee Concert in which he is involved. When questioned by the BBC about his lack of attendance to event he stated: ‘I’m gutted to miss the RNLI Castle To Castle swim this year – it’s always a fantastic challenge for a brilliant charity flying the flag in Falmouth.’

So what’s in store next for the London born actor, and more importantly if he does get his car fixed by Jay at the Arches will he get a discount for being the owner…or mates rates at least?

Friday 18^th May 2012 at 8pm BBC1

Unable to control his life spiraling further into despair, Ian makes a decision about his future that will send shockwaves through the Beale family unit.

Over at the Mitchells, Phil is desperate for Jay to move back home and tries to explain that now that Shirley has moved back everything is back to normal. Although Jay is tempted to agree, he rejects Phil’s offer but soon realises that he’s missing his family when he sees them all going for dinner. He gives in and joins them for the meal, pleasing Phil.

Meanwhile, Shirley’s concerns for Dot grow stronger when during a visit, she realises that Dot hasn’t got out of her nightclothes. Together with Rose, Cora and Patrick, Shirley vows to get Dot out of her dark mood, but their attempts to cheer her up are futile. Later, during a chat with Ian, Dot realises that although she will miss Jim, perhaps some time away from the square will do her good and she arranges to stay with Dotty.

At an attempt at bonding with Sasha, and having discovered that she wants to be a forensic scientist, Kim decides to show her where Heather was murdered but her horror stories leave the young girl distraught.

Michael books a 3D pregnancy scan for Janine and they learn the sex of their baby, prompting Janine to announce that the wedding is back on.

Thursday 17th May, 2012. 19:30 on BBC1

As Shirley struggles to move on from the death of her best friend Heather, she decides to watch a DVD containing footage of the hen night to find some comfort. She then lends the DVD to Dot, hoping that it will have the same effect on her. However, she unfortunately takes no comfort from it whatsoever, all she feels is heartache towards her close friends death.

Elsewhere, Denise confronts Kim about her insecurities towards Sasha and makes her realise that they are due to her fear that the youngster will make her look stupid. She then forces the pair to spend some time together, but Kim’s fears come true when a council official reveals that ‘Kim’s Olympic Palace’ is a copyright infringement, and Sasha is surprised when Kim doesn’t realise what it means. However, later in the episode Kim and Sasha admit to Ray that they enjoyed spending time together and agree that Kim will look after her again tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Janine decides to call off the wedding as her worries about the big day begin to mount up, while Mo finally comes home only to find Alfie playfully squirting Roxy with a soda pump and she demands to know what’s going on.

Tuesday 15th May, 2012. 19:30 on BBC1
After Ben’s shocking confession to Ian the pair head to the allotments, where Ian appears to struggle to come to terms with his brothers shocking news.

Meanwhile in the square Phil realises that Shirley didn’t hear the truth about Heather’s murder, however she tells him how angry his behaviour towards Ben has made her. This then leads the couple to have a heart-to-heart where Phil admits that he loves Shirley, causing her to cry about Heathers death as Phil begins to comfort her. Now that the pair have finally made up Shirley heads back to the Mitchell house with Phil.

At the Branning house everyone awaits Derek’s arrival. Cora, Jack and Dot all sing Derek’s praises in front of his daughter Alice. She however, can see that Tanya is not too fond of her father so she questions her new Aunt about this. Tanya believes that Alice should know the truth about her father’s dark past, so she reveals all to the naive teenager, causing Alice to quickly leave the house before he returns.

After the police finally leave without finding the hidden stash of booze, Derek heads to his brother’s house but is shocked to see Alice leaving in a cab. He tries to stop her from going but is unsuccessful.

Elsewhere, Jay realises that his drunken babbling luckily hasn’t roused any suspicions, whilst Kim tries to avoid Ray, until later when she admits to him that although she has feelings for him she can’t handle his kids.

EastEnders bosses have denied reports that Shona McGarty, who plays Whitney Dean, is leaving the show.

The actress recently caused rumours about her future on the show, when she spoke of her love for music: “I love Motown music and singing has always been a passion of mine. It’s a real dilemma as I love acting, but I also want to sing. I want to do something with music.”

The news of her co-star boyfriend Matt Lapinskas (Antony Moon) leaving the show has also added to the speculation, causing audiences to think she may have decided to follow in his footsteps. Especially after the controversial reports surrounding his departure from the show, as to whether he has been fired or is leaving of his own accord.

However a spokesperson for EastEnders has said: “There is absolutely no truth in the report that Shona has quit EastEnders.”

But is this just the show trying to hide her decision, before she announces her departure later in the year? I hope not because I really like her character, but what do you think? Let me know what you think by commenting on the post or contact me on twitter @susiefjones

Adam Woodyatt is said to be taking a break from playing the character Ian Beale after 27 years.

The character is set to have a mental breakdown after struggling with financial problems, family issues and the collapse in his marriage to fiancé Mandy Salter. It has been revealed that a “mental blow” will tip Ian over the edge causing him to disappear from Walford, leaving his family distraught.

Executive producer Lorraine Newman said: “Adam puts in a fabulous performance as a man teetering on the edge of a breakdown, who finally spirals when delivered a catastrophic blow by someone close to him.”

The actor will only be gone from our screens for six weeks, but it will be one of his longest breaks in 27 years.

But what will become of the character when he returns to the square? Will he still have a loving family to come home to?

Let me know what you think on twitter: @susiefjones

Reports have revealed that actress Nicola Stapleton, who plays Mandy Salter, is set to leave the Square once more.

It has been said that she will exit on her wedding day, but with the cliffhanger of whether she has said the important ‘I do’. The storyline leads to a bleak future for Ian, as an insider was quoted saying: “Bosses kept Nicola on for longer than expected as they’re building up a big storyline for Ian.” The actress herself has even spoken about the disastrous wedding: “Put it this way, I’m not so sure they’re going to have a happy ending”.

So will she break his heart gently or bleed him dry causing his money problems to get worse?

Let us know what you think!

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