EastEnders Fans Stunned as Zoe Slater’s Secret Baby Storyline Explodes – Is Anthony Trueman the Father?
Walford has been rocked once again. Just hours after Zoe Slater’s shocking return ended in a devastating shooting, fans are convinced they’ve finally uncovered the truth about her secret baby. A jaw-dropping flashback to 2006 revealed long-hidden details from Zoe’s past, sparking wild theories online about who the father could be — and one name keeps coming up.
Zoe’s Painful Past Resurfaces
Michelle Ryan’s return as Zoe Slater has been building tension for months. Since June, viewers have watched her carry a heavy burden, haunted by something she did years ago. While hiding out with Stacey Slater in London, Zoe made Stacey and Alfie Moon promise not to tell Kat she was back in the UK. Her reluctance hinted at a secret so big it could rip her family apart.
When Zoe finally reunited with Kat, their emotional scene quickly turned rocky. Kat poured out her love and relief, but Zoe couldn’t give the same warmth back. She confessed that she’d done “really bad things” since leaving Walford in 2005, suggesting her return carried danger as well as heartbreak.
The Shooting That Changed Everything
Tuesday’s episode ended with a gunshot that left fans in shock. By the next night, the truth came out — Zoe was the one hit in the chaos between Jack Branning and Ravi Gulati. As medics fought to save her, Zoe experienced a vivid flashback that transported viewers back to 2006.
In those emotional scenes, Zoe was treated by her ex, Anthony Trueman, inside the Queen Vic. The flashback revealed Zoe had given birth to twins — a boy and a girl. Tragically, her daughter didn’t survive. Distraught, Zoe decided to put her son up for adoption and fled the hospital, clutching a set of keys with an Ibiza keyring. It was a devastating revelation that rewrote her entire history.
A Heartbreaking Confession
As Zoe slipped in and out of consciousness, she made a heartbreaking admission to Kat. She confessed that she “couldn’t do birth right” and said things had felt easier “when they were sisters.” Her words reflected the deep scars of her teenage years, when Kat raised her as a sibling before revealing the truth about their mother-daughter bond.
Moments later, Zoe’s pulse flatlined. Medics were able to revive her, but the scene left Kat shaken and terrified that she might lose her daughter all over again.
Fans Point the Finger at Anthony Trueman
The flashback didn’t just expose Zoe’s baby secret — it lit up social media with theories about the child’s father. Viewers quickly connected the dots, pointing to Anthony Trueman.
On X, one fan wrote: “Imagine if Anthony is the father #EastEnders.” Another added: “Anthony Trueman is the father, didn’t they have a fling?” Others echoed the same thought, convinced the returning doctor is at the heart of Zoe’s storyline.
If true, Anthony’s paternity could tie him back into Walford in a huge way. His connection to Zoe would explain her reluctance to face her past, while also giving him a dramatic reason to return to the Square.
Theories Put to Rest
For months, fans speculated that Zoe was secretly Joel Marshall’s mum, but those rumours have now been put to bed. The new storyline makes it clear that Zoe’s son was adopted years ago, and her daughter died shortly after birth. With Joel already tied to Vicki Fowler and Ross Marshall, this theory no longer holds water.
Max Branning’s Return Raises More Questions
Just as Zoe’s secrets began to spill out, another twist stunned viewers — Max Branning called Zoe’s phone. His silent return to the storyline has sparked a whole new set of questions.
Why is Max connected to Zoe’s past? What role will he play as her secret unravels? And could his return collide with Anthony’s, setting up one of the most explosive showdowns Albert Square has seen in years?