Nigel duped, Phil furious, and Sam in crisis — can she be saved in time?

A Scandalous Return to Walford

When Sam Mitchell returns to EastEnders this December, fans are promised the full Mitchell chaos — and then some. Within minutes of being back on the Square, Sam wastes no time falling into old habits, setting off a chain reaction that will shake Phil, Nigel, and the entire Branning clan.

But behind her schemes lies a harrowing truth — one that could change everything for Sam and her fractured family.

The Nigel Bates Con

It all begins with a con gone wrong. Desperate for quick cash, Sam heads straight to her brother Phil Mitchell’s house to grab what she can. In an unexpected twist, she runs into Nigel Bates, who hasn’t seen her in years.

Mistaking Sam for his long-lost daughter Clare, Nigel lets his guard down — and Sam takes full advantage. Moments later, she’s vanished with Phil’s money in hand.

Phil, blindsided, gets a description from Nigel and wrongfully assumes Nicola is the thief. His hunt for justice sends shockwaves through Walford — until Sam makes a critical mistake.

Zoe’s Wrath and Kat’s Fury

Just as Sam tries to lay low, she finds herself face-to-face with Zoe Slater, who accuses her of being her stalker. Sam scoffs at the claim, but the confrontation quickly spirals. Enter Kat, and soon the three women are locked in a ferocious stand-off right in the heart of Albert Square.

It’s only when Phil catches sight of the clash that the pieces fall into place. Realising he’s been duped by his own sister, he storms off in a rage — unaware that Sam is about to drop a bombshell elsewhere.

A Terrifying Diagnosis Revealed

Later, Sam secretly meets with her son Ricky at McKlunky’s. But when Jack Branning discovers the meeting, she prepares to flee again. That’s when she finally breaks down.

“I found a lump,” Sam confesses. “I think it’s cancer.”

Jack is stunned. He pushes her to seek medical help, but before they can finish the conversation, Phil shows up — ready to confront her over the stolen cash.

Word quickly spreads, and Denise decides to intervene. She strikes a deal with Sam, convincing her to stay for dinner with Ricky Jr. and Lily. But when Sam realizes she’s being manipulated, she storms off — and sets a new plan in motion.

Intervention or Implosion?

Despite Sam’s resistance, her family bands together for a full-blown intervention, urging her to attend the hospital appointment she keeps skipping. With her health hanging in the balance, emotions reach a breaking point.