EXCITEMENT in EastEnders next week as THIS Walford LEGEND returns

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Sharon's back - but what does the future hold for the grieving mum?

Next week's EastEnders sees legendary Sharon Watts return to Walford after taking a break in Australia following the death of her teenage son, Denny.

EastEnders fans know that Phil Mitchell has been working hard while Sharon is away to get his hands on the Queen Vic pub, hoping that it will bring them closer together again.

EastEnders Sharon BBC

Sharon is back in Walford next week (Picture: BBC)

The pair reignited their romance just before Sharon went to Australia to stay with best friend Michelle Fowler, but will she return still wanting to patch up her marriage?

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Phil is stunned when he walks into his kitchen to find Sharon standing there next week, having returned unannounced, and the pair are soon catching up.

But while she is pleased to see Phil, Sharon struggles being back in the Square, haunted by Denny's death and the fact that she gave up her baby son, Kayden, to Karen Taylor.

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Sharon visits friend Linda Carter, telling her that she has decided to make a go of things with Phil, and Linda gives the pair her blessing to buy the pub.

Sharon and Phil are thrilled that they are moving on to the next chapter of their lives, and celebrate with a drink in the pub... but things soon turn sour for Sharon when Billy and Karen turn up.

The stark reminder of the son she abandoned is all too much for Sharon, and she starts to wonder if she has made a huge mistake giving him away.

Will Sharon really let Karen leave Walford with Kayden? (Picture: BBC)

Will Sharon really let Karen leave Walford with Kayden? (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes)

Things get even more complicated for the grieving mum when she goes to drop some baby bits off to Karen that she has found, and Karen asks her to watch Kayden while she gets ready for her leaving party.

Sharon is thrown at being forced to spend time with her baby, but when Karen later finds Sharon asleep with Kayden she reminds her that it isn't too late to change her mind about giving him up.

Back at the Mitchells, Sharon and Phil toast to the future - just the two of them... but is that really what Sharon wants?

With thoughts of Kayden going around in her head, it is clear Sharon is in turmoil... will she really give up her baby?

EastEnders will temporarily air a reduced schedule of two episodes a week. Watch on Mondays at 8pm and Tuesdays at 7:30pm on BBC One. 

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 


After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off


She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 


As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.