SHOCK new romance in Walford as THESE EastEnders favourites get closer?

It looks like there is romance in the Walford air for Billy Mitchell and Karen Taylor...

Next week's EastEnders hints at a new romance for Billy and Karen as they start working together at E20.

EastEnders fans know that both Billy and Karen have had rocky love lives over the last year.

Billy's still desperately clinging on to hope that ex wife Honey might end things with cheating Adam and want to get back together, while Karen's only romance recently is when she had a fling with another woman.

EastEnders spilers: Karen Taylor gives in to her ex Mitch Baker's charms — Karen's never had much luck with men... but is that all about to change? (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC / Kieron McCarron)

But it looks like that all might be set to change when the pair start to spend more and more time together in the coming weeks.

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Over recent weeks Karen has got herself into a financial mess after she started borrowing money from Ben Mitchell's new money-lending scheme.

But when Ben has a change of heart about fleecing one of his neighbours next week, it seems Karen could be off the hook when he orders colleague Tubbs to wipe the Taylor slate clean.

EastEnders Billy Mitchell Honey Mitchell — Billy and Honey separated after Billy cheated with Tina Carter (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC/Jack Barnes)

However, while Ben might be turning his back on the dark side, Tubbs definitely isn't, and he ignores Ben's orders to let Karen off her next payment.

Desperate to find the cash to pay Tubbs back, Karen talks to Billy, who tells her that she should get a second job to try and make the money up.

But what he didn't count on is Karen railroading him into giving him a job at E20... and before he knows what is happening, he's agreed to let her have some shifts behind the bar.

Billy and Karen in EastEnders — Karen and Billy shared a kiss on New Year's Eve... could that have planted the seed for a new romance? (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC / Kieron McCarron)

But it seems this new job could bring Karen more than just a bit of extra cash, because as they start working together, Billy starts to see the mum of six in a new light.

As Karen starts her trial at the nightclub Billy is initially dubious about how she will fare charming the customers but, as always, Karen's full of surprises and Billy is impressed.

Could this be the start of a new romance for the pair?

EastEnders airs Monday and Friday at 8pm and Tuesday and Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.

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.