A new mystery surrounding Zoe Slater’s (Michelle Ryan) return has emerged.

The BBC soap legend made a much-anticipated reappearance after 20 years in last night’s episode following a number of mysterious clues.

We first saw Zoe – identity still unknown at this point – asleep on a sofa in Stacey Slater’s (Lacey Turner) flat, which she has rented while taking some time away from Walford.

Stace’ drifted around the room, telling her cousin to get her act together and stop living like a slob – and eventually called upon Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) for help.

When he showed up, Zoe strolled in, and we could see from her demeanour that she’d fallen on hard times.

In today’s episode, which can be streamed now, a huge row broke out with Stacey, who accused Zoe of stealing her credit card.

Alfie tried a friendlier approach, pulling his stepdaughter in for a hug and telling her that they need to call her mum Kat (Jessie Wallace) for help. However, Zoe was keen to stay estranged – and said that if he did, he’d never see her again.

Later, she revealed that she was in trouble with loansharks from Spain, and that they were making huge demands for cash. She’d rather go back and face the music than reunite with Kat again.

It definitely seems that it’s going to be a long road to recovery…

Alfie tried to reassure her that the Slaters would welcome her back to Albert Square with open arms, but she remained defiant.

As messages from the loansharks – who now knew she was in London – began to intensify, Alfie agreed that it was probably best if she didn’t go to the police and offered her the cash himself.

However, Stacey had her doubts.

She’d noticed that since he arrived, the messages from the supposed loansharks had increased. Picking up the device, she replied to them – and another phone pinged from Zoe’s bedroom.

But why is Zoe lying? And what will Alfie do?

Just as he began to contemplate his next moves, a far bigger issue presented itself.