The week commencing April 7th, 2025, in EastEnders promises a relentless tide of drama as the community continues to reel from the loss of Martin Fowler. Grief permeates every corner of Walford, fueling explosive confrontations, unveiling manipulative agendas, and ultimately leading to a major character making a definitive exit. Stacey Slater finds herself at the heart of much of the turmoil, her grief and anger propelling her into a fierce battle on multiple fronts. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the seven massive spoilers set to rock Albert Square:

1. Martin is Laid to Rest in Heart-Wrenching Scenes:

Over a month has passed since the tragic and shocking death of Martin Fowler, and the time has finally arrived for Walford to bid a final, tearful farewell to one of its most beloved residents. At the Slater household, a heavy atmosphere of grief hangs in the air. Lily Slater, displaying remarkable strength and maturity, does her utmost to support her younger siblings, who are struggling to comprehend the enormity of their loss.

However, the fragile semblance of composure is shattered by the return of their mother, Stacey Slater. After weeks spent away from the Square, grappling with her devastating grief in isolation, Stacey arrives home clearly under the influence of alcohol. Unable to find solace in her own company, she returns to her family in a fragile and vulnerable state.

Sonia Fowler, a steadfast friend and pillar of support, immediately steps in to offer Stacey comfort and understanding. She tries her best to help Stacey sober up, offering gentle words of encouragement. However, the weight of her loss proves too heavy for the mother of three to bear. Stacey confesses to Sonia that she simply cannot face the funeral, the finality of the event feeling like an insurmountable obstacle.

Meanwhile, Lily’s initial concern for her mother begins to morph into resentment. Feeling abandoned during a time of immense family crisis, Lily struggles to reconcile Stacey’s absence with her own need for support and guidance. The seeds of a significant rift between mother and daughter are sown.

Despite her earlier declaration, the community gathers for Martin’s funeral in deeply emotional scenes. His nearest and dearest, a testament to the impact he had on so many lives, come together to say their final goodbyes during a heart-wrenching service. The raw grief is palpable as Walford collectively mourns the loss of a good man.

2. Ross Hatches a Manipulative Plan Before the Solemn Funeral:

As the day of Martin’s funeral dawns, Sharon Watts and Vicki Fowler attempt to summon every ounce of strength they possess to keep themselves together. The task is far from easy, the weight of their grief and the complicated family dynamics creating a tense atmosphere. Sensing Vicki’s vulnerability, her new partner, Ross Marshall, makes the decision that he should be present at the service to offer her support.

However, Ross’s intentions are not entirely altruistic. Sharon vehemently disagrees with his plan, believing that his presence will only exacerbate the already strained situation, particularly given Alfie Moon’s justifiable anger towards Ross for his affair with Vicki behind Alfie’s brother Spencer’s back. Despite Sharon’s warnings, Ross remains undeterred, determined to be by Vicki’s side, perhaps with ulterior motives in mind.

Later in the week, Ross, recognizing the palpable tension and Alfie’s simmering resentment, attempts to smooth things over with Sharon by offering a seemingly sincere apology for upsetting Alfie. However, Sharon, a shrewd businesswoman with a keen eye for manipulation, makes it abundantly clear that his smooth-talking charm will not easily win her forgiveness. She remains suspicious of his intentions and his sudden desire to appease her.

Before long, Ross receives a mysterious and potentially shady phone call. The conversation leaves him with a renewed sense of purpose, and he immediately sets out on a mission to convince Vicki that they should extend their stay in Walford for a significantly longer period than they had initially planned. His urgency and determination raise serious questions about what he could possibly be hiding and why he is so desperate to keep Vicki in Albert Square.

3. Stacey Goes to War, Clashing with Lily and Ruby After the Funeral:

The emotional fallout from Martin’s funeral ignites a series of fiery confrontations, with Stacey Slater finding herself embroiled in a bitter war on multiple fronts. As the solemn proceedings come to a close, Ruby Allen is consumed by a renewed wave of anger directed squarely at Stacey. Still reeling from the revelation of Martin’s true feelings in his final moments, Ruby struggles to contain her own upset, leading to an emotional outburst at the wake. The tension between the two women is palpable, hinting at an impending explosion.

Not long after the wake, Stacey spots Ruby at the allotment, a public space that becomes the unlikely arena for a nasty and deeply personal confrontation between the two former friends. Grief, resentment, and long-simmering animosities erupt, drawing out shocking revelations that appear to completely sever any remaining chance of reconciliation between Stacey and Ruby. The truths that are unearthed promise to have a lasting and devastating impact on their already fractured relationship.

Meanwhile, Lily, feeling increasingly isolated and abandoned by her mother, seeks a destructive escape from her grief. With the seemingly misguided backing of Mavani Nandra, Lily turns to alcohol, hitting the bottle in a desperate attempt to numb her pain and confusion. Stacey’s return home is met with the devastating discovery that her teenage daughter has been consuming alcohol, a stark reminder of the breakdown in their communication and the profound impact of their recent trauma.

The struggling mother attempts to mend her fractured relationship with Lily, but her efforts fall flat. The chasm between them, fueled by resentment and a lack of understanding, continues to widen. Just when Stacey feels like things couldn’t get any worse, she is dealt another devastating blow. She is horrified to discover that Martin’s beloved fruit and vegetable stall, a symbol of his life and their shared history, has been deliberately set on fire. The sight of the charred remains of his livelihood sends a fresh wave of grief and anger through Stacey.

4. Vicki Faces a Difficult Choice Regarding Her Future:

As Vicki Fowler continues to make plans for her return home to Australia, her partner, Ross Marshall, remains steadfast in his manipulative determination to keep his family in Walford. However, Ross, a newcomer to the Square, is forced to adapt his initial strategy when he realizes that he will not be able to convince Vicki to stay based on his own persuasion alone.

Shrewdly assessing the situation, Ross sidles up to Ian Beale, hoping to exploit Ian’s close relationship with Vicki and his own desire to be involved in the family drama. Ross attempts to manipulate Ian into making Vicki believe that her half-brother, Mark Junior, should be the one to step up and take on the primary responsibility of caring for their grieving mother, Michelle Fowler. By subtly shifting the focus of familial obligation, Ross hopes to alleviate any guilt Vicki might feel about leaving Michelle and thus make her more inclined to remain in Walford.

Later in the week, Vicki answers the phone to her heartbroken mother, Michelle. The conversation that ensues will likely be pivotal in Vicki’s decision-making process. The question remains: has Ross’s manipulative scheme been successful enough to keep Vicki in Walford, or will her loyalty to her mother and her own desire to return home ultimately prevail?

5. Jack Offers Words of Caution Amidst Stacey’s Fury:

Having discovered the devastating news about the fire that has ravaged Martin’s fruit and vegetable stall, his loved ones gather at the burnt-down remains, their grief compounded by a sense of outrage and injustice. Stacey, her heart filled with a burning desire for revenge, promises her daughter Lily that she will stop at nothing to uncover the identity of the individual responsible for this cruel and heinous act.

Witnessing Stacey’s raw fury and her determination to take matters into her own hands, Jack Branning, a seasoned police officer, steps in to offer a voice of reason. He firmly advises Stacey to refrain from launching her own investigation, urging her to leave the matter in the hands of the police and allow them to conduct a thorough and impartial inquiry.

However, Stacey, consumed by grief and a fierce sense of protectiveness over Martin’s memory, is in no mood to heed Jack’s wise words. Fueled by her suspicions – which may or may not be accurate – she becomes convinced that she already possesses enough evidence to confront the person she believes is responsible for the arson. The question remains: has Stacey correctly identified the culprit, or is her judgment clouded by her raw emotions and the ongoing turmoil in her life? Her impulsive actions could have significant and unforeseen consequences.

6. Ruby Makes the Decisive Choice to Leave Walford:

The intense and bitter feud between Ruby Allen and Stacey Slater reaches a point of no return. Following their explosive confrontation and the resurfacing of deep-seated resentments, Ruby comes to the definitive conclusion that it is time for her to leave Walford behind. The toxic atmosphere, the constant reminders of Martin, and the irreconcilable conflict with Stacey have made her life in Albert Square unbearable.

Meanwhile, Jean Slater, ever the voice of wisdom and concern for her daughter’s well-being, desperately pleads with Stacey to focus on her own recovery and put an end to her ongoing dispute with Ruby. Jean recognizes the destructive nature of their feud and the detrimental impact it is having on Stacey’s emotional state.

However, Stacey remains fixated on confronting Ruby one last time, perhaps seeking closure or a final resolution to their bitter animosity. As Stacey heads out to find Ruby and attempt to clear the air, she is intercepted by Zack Hudson, who delivers the unexpected news that Ruby has already left town. This confirms the anticipated departure of Louisa Lytton from the role, leaving Stacey with a sense of unfinished business and the lingering question of whether their feud will ever truly be resolved. Ruby’s exit marks a significant turning point for several characters and leaves a void in the complex tapestry of Walford relationships.