A shocking truth unravels in Walford as Lily Slater’s real father is finally exposed—alongside a tangled web of betrayals, dark secrets, and the murder that shook the Square to its core.

The East End is still reeling from the tragic explosion at The Queen Vic, which claimed the life of Martin Fowler. In a moment of fleeting hope, Martin and Stacey were seen escaping the chaos, but their path to safety was cruelly cut short. A falling beam struck Martin, crushing him beneath the wreckage. As he lay dying, Martin confessed his enduring love for Stacey and admitted that rekindling things with Ruby Allen had been a painful mistake.

The loss sent Stacey spiraling. Overwhelmed with grief, she fled Walford to find solace with her brother, Sean. But her absence left a deep scar on Lily, who stepped in to care for her younger siblings. When Stacey finally returned, tensions exploded between mother and daughter. Lily, feeling abandoned, lashed out—calling Stacey a “slapper,” sparking a heated confrontation that ended in a painful slap. The emotional wounds between them were raw, and it was clear that rebuilding trust would take time.

Later that night, Lily tried to numb the pain by drinking vodka with her friend Avani. As she opened up, Lily revealed something heart-wrenching—while Martin wasn’t her biological father, he was the only man who ever truly stepped into that role. But if Martin wasn’t her dad… then who was?

Enter Ryan Malloy. Long-time EastEnders fans may remember Ryan as Whitney Dean’s estranged brother, first appearing on the Square in 2009. Shortly after reconnecting with Whitney, Ryan became entangled with Janine Butcher, a romance that led to marriage. But things took a messy turn when Ryan had a one-night stand with Stacey Slater—unbeknownst to Janine at the time.

When Stacey found out she was pregnant, the paternity was immediately questioned. Her husband then, Bradley, initially believed the baby was his, but the dates didn’t add up. In a heart-wrenching twist, Stacey feared her unborn child could be the result of a sexual assault by Archie Mitchell. However, after Ronnie Mitchell ruled out Archie as the father, Stacey finally realized Ryan was the man behind Lily’s conception.

Ryan had no idea Lily was his child—until years later when he heroically saved her from a fire. Stacey finally confessed the truth, and though Ryan was initially overwhelmed, he soon came around. He even told both Janine and Stacey he wanted to be there for his daughter. The old spark between him and Stacey reignited, leading to a secret affair.

Janine, not one to be crossed, retaliated in the most twisted way—by poisoning Ryan. When her deceit was revealed, Ryan chose Stacey over his wife, pushing Janine further into madness. In a disturbing act of revenge, Janine stabbed herself and tried to frame Stacey for the attack. Stacey fled with Lily in tow.

Ryan’s time in Walford ended dramatically when he became entangled in Whitney’s dangerous situation involving abuser Rob Grayson. After Rob’s death, Ryan was forced to go on the run. He returned briefly in 2014 and again in 2016, claiming he wanted to be a father to Lily. But old habits die hard—he ended up stealing money from The Queen Vic. Guilt eventually caught up with him, and he handed the cash back, surrendering to police after negotiating one last visit from Lily and Whitney in prison.

He was later released, revealing he was engaged to prison guard Helen. In 2023, when Lily became pregnant herself, Ryan reappeared—inviting her to live with him and Helen in Wakefield, aiming for a fresh start.

As secrets are laid bare and past sins resurface, one thing is certain—Lily Slater’s real dad being Ryan Malloy changes everything. In Walford, the truth always finds a way out… and it never comes quietly.