Emotions run high in a dramatic week for Walford, as EastEnders welcomes back a number of former faces, who stage their comeback in honour of the legendary Martin Fowler (James Bye).

Martin, as viewers will recall, met a tragic end during the BBC One soap’s 40th anniversary after he perished in the wake of the Queen Vic explosion – just hours after confessing his love for Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner).

The subsequent weeks have seen Walford in mourning, with the fruit and veg market trader considered a staple of the community.

Attention turns to his funeral next week as the sad day looms and it brings Vicki Fowler – now played by Alice Haig – home for the first time in almost two decades.

Vicki arrives back with new partner Ross – played by The Bill and Holby City’s Alex Walkinshaw – and his son Joel(Max Murray), and her comeback gets quite the response. Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean), for one, is elated to see her half-sister, who confirms she’s separated from Spencer Moon.

But Vicki isn’t the only close relative of Martin’s back to say goodbye as Bex (Jasmine Armfield) stages her return later in the week, hugging mum Sonia (Natalie Cassidy) tightly.

Bex asks Sonia to accompany her to the undertakers to say goodbye to her dad – but Sonia struggles with the prospect of doing so.

Will she be able to say goodbye to her first love?

Elsewhere, Sharon is left worried when Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) informs her that Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) has gone missing. Phil, however, returns home soon afterwards and is confused as to why everyone was worried about his whereabouts.

Realising that Nigel’s dementia played a role in his belief that his friend was missing, Phil covers, offering a simple explanation for where he was.

EastEnders' Vicki Fowler, Bex Fowler, Sharon Watts, Phil Mitchell and Joel
Two comebacks and some new arrivals are at the centre of an emotionally charged week in the Square (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

In emotional scenes, Phil admits his feelings for Sharon. The question is: will she feel the same?

Peter Beale (Thomas Law), meanwhile, receives criticism from Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa), who remains concerned about missing Cindy Beale – who has gone AWOL. In a bid to make things right, Peter pops the question at Beale’s Eels. Lauren, however, says she cannot accept!