Prepare for a week of intense grief, explosive confrontations, devastating discoveries, and a major character exit as Walford reels from the loss of Martin Fowler and new secrets threaten to tear families apart.
The week commencing April 7th, 2025, in EastEnders promises to be an emotional rollercoaster for the residents of Walford as they navigate the immediate aftermath of Martin Fowler’s tragic death. Grief permeates the Square, leading to volatile clashes and the unearthing of shocking truths that will irrevocably alter relationships. A beloved character makes a definitive departure, leaving behind a trail of unresolved conflict and lingering questions.
Monday, April 7th: A Community in Mourning, Fractured Bonds
The solemn day of Martin Fowler’s funeral dawns, casting a pall over Albert Square. Loved ones prepare to lay him to rest, their individual grief manifesting in different ways. Lily Slater, despite her own young age, attempts to be a pillar of support for her younger siblings, shouldering a responsibility beyond her years. However, the weight of their loss is immense, and the family dynamic is already strained.
Stacey Slater, Martin’s soulmate to the very end, finds herself utterly consumed by grief. Unable to cope with the impending finality of the funeral, she spirals into despair, seeking solace in alcohol. Her return home in a drunken state deeply distresses her family. Sonia Fowler, ever the compassionate friend, steps in to try and sober Stacey up, offering words of comfort and understanding. However, Sonia is left dismayed and concerned when Stacey confesses her inability to face the emotional ordeal of the funeral, threatening to stay away entirely.
Lily’s fury towards her mother intensifies in light of Stacey’s self-destructive behavior. Feeling abandoned and left to shoulder the burden of supporting her siblings during this devastating time, Lily’s resentment towards Stacey grows, creating a significant rift between mother and daughter.
Later in the day, the emotionally charged funeral service takes place. Mourners gather to pay their final respects to Martin, the atmosphere thick with sorrow and unspoken emotions. Sharon Watts and Vicki Fowler, both connected to Martin through family ties, are visibly distraught, struggling to maintain their composure as they bid farewell to their uncle.
Worried about Vicki’s emotional state and the potential for conflict given Alfie Moon’s animosity towards him, Ross Marshall makes the decision to attend the funeral to offer her support. However, Sharon vehemently disagrees with his presence, sensing that it could inflame tensions and create further distress during an already difficult day. Alfie’s knowledge of Ross’s affair with Vicki behind his brother Spencer’s back hangs heavy in the air, threatening to erupt at any moment.
Tuesday, April 8th: Explosive Confrontations, Teenage Rebellion, and a Fiery Act
The day after the funeral sees the simmering tensions between Ruby Allen and Stacey Slater reach a boiling point. Ruby’s grief is compounded by the bitter knowledge of Martin’s true feelings for Stacey in his final moments, fueling her anger and resentment. She struggles to reconcile her own love for Martin with the revelation that she was perhaps not his deepest love.
At the wake, the raw emotions and unspoken accusations bubble to the surface. Later, Stacey seeks out Ruby at the allotments, a location that once held a sense of community but now becomes the stage for a volatile confrontation. Deep-seated resentments and accusations are hurled, leading to shocking revelations that could obliterate any remaining hope of peace or reconciliation between the two women. The truths that emerge from this explosive encounter promise to have lasting consequences for their already fractured relationship.
Meanwhile, the younger generation also grapples with the fallout of Martin’s death and the surrounding family turmoil. Lily, feeling increasingly isolated and resentful towards her mother, seeks solace in alcohol. In a worrying development, she is seemingly encouraged in this destructive path by Mavani, a new influence in her life. Stacey’s return to find her teenage daughter drunk is a devastating blow, further highlighting the breakdown of their relationship. Stacey’s attempts to make amends with Lily are met with resistance and anger, the chasm between them widening with each passing day.
Later that day, Stacey is confronted with another devastating blow, this time directed at a tangible reminder of her lost love. She is horrified to discover Martin’s beloved fruit and vegetable stall, a symbol of his life and livelihood, has been deliberately set on fire. The sight of the charred remains of his stall is a cruel and visceral reminder of her loss and the apparent malice directed towards his memory.
Ross, sensing the continued tension and wanting to smooth things over with Sharon, attempts to apologize for upsetting Alfie at the funeral. However, Sharon remains unmoved by his smooth-talking charm, making it clear that she is not easily won over, especially given the underlying secrets and lies surrounding his presence in Walford.
Following a mysterious phone call, Ross’s agenda appears to shift. He becomes determined to convince Vicki that they should extend their stay in Walford beyond their initial plans, hinting that his reasons for wanting to remain are connected to the secrets they are both harboring.
Wednesday, April 9th: Accusations Fly, Manipulation Tactics, and a Mother’s Plea
The sight of Martin’s destroyed store fuels Stacey’s grief and ignites a fierce determination to find the person responsible for this cruel act. She vows to Lily that she will uncover the truth and bring the perpetrator to justice. Jack Branning, ever the voice of reason and law enforcement, cautions Stacey to leave the investigation to the police. However, Stacey, blinded by grief and suspicion, becomes convinced that she already possesses all the necessary evidence to confront the individual she believes is responsible for the arson. Her suspicions, heavily influenced by the recent explosive confrontation, are likely to point towards Ruby.
Ross’s efforts to keep Vicki in Walford intensify. Despite Vicki already making arrangements for their return home by booking flights, Ross is hellbent on persuading her to stay. Having failed to convince Vicki directly, Ross resorts to manipulation, targeting Ian Beale. He attempts to influence Ian into persuading Vicki to remain in Walford, subtly suggesting that it is Mark and Jenna, not Vicki, who should step up to support a grieving Michelle. Ross’s manipulative tactics reveal his desperation to remain in Walford, further fueling the suspicion that he and Joel are hiding a significant secret. Later, Vicki receives a call from her mother, Michelle, and it appears that Ross’s calculated manipulation of Ian may have yielded the desired result, as Vicki seemingly reconsiders her travel plans.
Thursday, April 10th: A Final Farewell, Unresolved Conflict, and a Dramatic Exit
The culmination of the week’s dramatic events sees Ruby Allen reach a breaking point. The intense animosity and intolerable situation between her and Stacey lead her to the decision that she needs to leave Walford for good. The constant reminders of Martin and the unresolved conflict with Stacey have made her life in Albert Square unbearable.
Jean Slater, witnessing the destructive cycle of fighting and grief consuming Stacey, desperately pleads with her daughter to stop the animosity and begin the process of healing. However, Stacey, still reeling from the fire and her unresolved feelings towards Ruby, is determined to confront her one last time to seek answers and perhaps closure.
As Stacey sets out to find Ruby and talk, she is intercepted by Zack Hudson, who delivers the news that Ruby has already left EastEnders. This confirms the widely speculated departure of the character, marking the end of Louisa Lytton’s extended return to the soap. Ruby’s exit is described as “dramatic” and “explosive,” hinting that her departure will not be a quiet one, even though it occurs off-screen.
Louisa Lytton’s decision to leave EastEnders once again comes as she prepares to take on the lead role of Rachel Watson in a stage production of “A Girl on the Train,” fulfilling a long-held ambition in her acting career. Her return to EastEnders in November was initially intended as an extended stint to coincide with the 40th-anniversary celebrations, allowing for the wrapping up of Ruby’s storylines and providing a dramatic exit for the character.
Ruby’s departure leaves a significant void in Walford, particularly in the lives of Stacey and her young son, Roman. The unresolved tensions and the unanswered questions surrounding Martin’s death and the subsequent events leave a lingering sense of unease. Whether this is truly the last viewers will see of Ruby Allen in Albert Square remains to be seen, but for now, her dramatic exit marks the end of a significant chapter in her tumultuous history within the East End. The community is left to grapple with the fallout of her departure, alongside their ongoing grief for Martin and the burgeoning secrets surrounding Vicki and Ross’s return.
