EastEnders spoilers: Janine Butcher wins custody of Scarlett?

Janine Butcher and Mick Carter hug in EastEnders week 18
Janine Butcher prepares for Scarlett Moon's custody hearing. (Image credit: BBC)

Janine Butcher goes to Scarlett Moon's custody hearing in Thursday's episode of EastEnders (7:30 pm. see our TV Guide for full listings)

Whitney Dean comes to celebrate Sonia Fowler's birthday but Janine Butcher takes the opportunity to ask her personal questions about Mick Carter, after previously experiencing some intimacy issues with him.

Later on, Mick is touched when Janine brings him a slice of cake for Tina Carter's birthday, who was murdered in 2020 by serial killer Gray Atkins.

After, the pair head off to her daughter Scarlett Moon's custody hearing together to see whether Janine will be granted custody.

EastEnders week 18

Janine gives Mick a slice of cake to celebrate Tina's birthday. (Image credit: BBC)

Martin Fowler makes a blunder when he apologises to Tommy Moon about ruining his opportunity with the football club, not knowing that Kat Slater hasn't told him.

The news is too much for Tommy to bear and he disappears. Kat is panicking and with Scarlett's hearing starting, Stacey Slater's wife Eve Unwin (who was previously a solicitor before she went to prison) offers to go on Kat's behalf and she reads out a touching statement while at the court.

Janine and Scarlett's mother and daughter relationship has been very up and down since she returned to the Square, but now it seems Janine is working hard to fix things with her daughter. Will Janine manage to win custody of her daughter?

Eventually, Tommy shows up and Kat has some news about his police case. What could it be?

Frankie Lewis bumps into old friend Clara

Frankie bumps into an old friend. (Image credit: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Meanwhile, Frankie Lewis has an unexpected encounter with an old university friend called Clara. Clara tells her about how successful she's been, which leads Frankie to lie about her own achievements.

Linda Carter overhears them at The Queen Vic and gives Frankie some advice.

In the past, a hungover Linda lashed out at Frankie and wrongly accused her of ruining her marriage with Mick. Could Linda's advice be the first step for them to repair their strained relationship?

EastEnders continues on BBC One on Monday at 7:30pm.

Grace Morris
Staff Writer

Grace is a digital writer with WhatToWatch.com, where she writes series guides, recaps and features for must-watch shows and delivers all the latest soap news and reactions. She graduated from Anglia Ruskin University in 2020 with a degree in Writing and Film Studies, which only made her love for creative writing, film and TV grow stronger.


You'll usually find her watching the drama unfold in the latest reality series or much-loved UK soaps (usually with chocolate by her side!). She's an expert in EastEnders, Emmerdale, Coronation Street and everything reality-related from Selling Sunset and Married At First Sight UK to 90 Day Fiancé UK. Plus Netflix megahit Virgin River!


Grace also likes to explore new places with her friends and family and, of course, watch and read about the latest films and TV series.