After an eventful Christmas, Martin Fowler (James Bye) and Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton) have an update for Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) in upcoming scenes.

This week in EastEnders, we saw Stacey struggle with her feelings for her ex-husband, who has had a troubling time after discovering that his other ex-wife Ruby gave birth to their son two years ago.

She’d initially tried to pretend that she no longer had access to him, though it actually transpired that the youngster – Roman – had been hospitalised and was needing an organ transplant.

Martin began a scheme to get full custody, something which Stacey didn’t agree with and accidentally revealed to Ruby.

She told him that he’d never get his name on Roman’s birth certificate, and banned him from visiting the hospital.

Subsequently, it was discovered that his donor liver was unviable and Martin would have to step in, despite his reservations.

Meanwhile, Stacey has been harbouring her devotion for him, concerned that it was the wrong time to come clean.

Over the last week, she’s been encouraged by Eve Unwin (Heather Peace) and Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) to talk to him, but was dismayed to see that Ruby had moved in.

Despite Martin’s insistence that there relationship was purely platonic, she couldn’t help but feel that Ruby had swooped in before she had the opportunity to.

When he returned home from visiting his son in hospital, he fell asleep before hearing Stacey pour her heart out to him.

It seemed that fate wasn’t on their side, as when they finally sat down, they were interrupted by her mum Jean (Gillian Wright).

In upcoming scenes, Zack Hudson (James Farrar) – who previously egged Martin on to make a move with Ruby – invites him on a big New Year’s night out, but he decides that he’d rather see in 2025 with his son at the hospital.

Arriving on the ward with a small bottle of champers, Ruby is thrilled to see him.

Soon he’ll be called to Stacey’s side in a desperate hour of need, and whilst she’s glad to have him by her side, she’s less impressed to see that Ruby has followed her there.