EastEnders’ Zoe Slater has finally unveiled the identity of her twins’ father, following a huge showdown with Sharon Watts and Vicki Fowler

Zoe Slater is back in EastEnders (Image: BBC)

Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) has only been back in Walford for a few weeks but she’s already at the heart of EastEnders’ drama, particularly after her encounters with Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) and Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig).

Long-time viewers will remember Zoe’s involvement in the murder of Sharon’s father, Den Watts, and it appears that two decades on, neither Sharon nor Vicki have forgiven her.

Sharon was far from pleased to return from Australia and find Zoe residing in Albert Square, leading to a heated exchange over past events. Prior to this, Vicki had not hidden her disdain for Zoe.

In Tuesday’s episode of EastEnders (23 September), which is already available for streaming on BBC iPlayer, Zoe and Vicki ended up in a brawl in the Square, culminating in Sharon confronting Zoe in the Queen Vic.

Zoe revealed the father of her children in EastEnders (Image: BBC)

Zoe remained unfazed as her mother Kat (Jessie Wallace) leapt to her defence. Before long, Zoe disclosed why she’d returned to Walford, confessing she needed funds to locate her adopted son, whom she had abandoned at birth after his twin sister passed away, reports OK!.

However, Zoe took immense pleasure in revealing to Sharon that the father of her children was actually Dennis Rickman (Nigel Harman), Sharon’s late husband.

“20 years ago, Dennis Rickman slept with me. That’s right, Sharon. Your precious Dennis, he got me pregnant,” Zoe informed a shocked Sharon.

Sharon and Zoe were previously embroiled in a complicated romantic triangle involving Dennis, with Zoe even fabricating a pregnancy to maintain Dennis’s interest. Sharon bore son Denny with Dennis, who met a tragic end on New Year’s Eve in 2005.

EastEnders enthusiasts were equally stunned by Zoe’s revelation, with speculation surrounding her twins’ paternity having circulated extensively since her comeback, with many assuming Anthony Trueman (Nicholas Bailey) or perhaps Max Branning (Jake Wood) might be the father.

“OMG Dennis Rickman is that dad? ! Never expected that #EastEnders,” one viewer posted on X, whilst another commented: “I knew Dennis Rickman was the father to the twins I just knew it. He was with Zoe right up until March 2005. Dates add up even if they aren’t ultra precise with the dates. #Eastenders.”

Other viewers remained sceptical about whether Zoe was being truthful, given her history of deception since her return.

“Not sure i buy the retcon of Dennis sleeping with Zoe though (if Zoe is actually telling the truth! ) #eastenders,” one fan remarked, whilst another observed: “I don’t believe the baby is Dennis’s baby. Zoe just said that to get a rise and hurt Sharon. #EastEnders It would be too easy if it were Dennis’s kid.”

EastEnders airs Monday – Thursday on BBC One at 7.30pm. Episodes are also released on iPlayer at 6am.