A returning EastEnders character sets off a chain of events that could change the course of Elaine Peacock’s (Harriet Thorpe) life next week.

Walford is set to welcome back the Queen Vic landlady’s former foe Drew Peacock (Paul Clayton) in forthcoming scenes, as he supports her through trouble in her marriage to George Knight (Colin Salmon).

Drew made quite the impact when he first appeared in the BBC soap last year, with Elaine’s grandson Johnny Carter (Charlie Suff) booking him as the drag queen for her hen do, not realising they had a historic connection.

It was then revealed that Drew was the lover of Elaine’s late husband and Linda Carter (Kellie Bright)’s dad John, with the former having had no idea that her father was gay.

While it was initially daggers at dawn between Elaine and Drew, they later laid the ghosts of the past to rest, and he offered her some words of advice ahead of her wedding to George.

Six months later, relations between Elaine and George have soured due to the continued presence of his ex-wife Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins).

Earlier this week, Elaine was left furious after finding out George had secretly been helping Cindy with her plans for The Albert and caused a scene at the official relaunch party.

But just as tensions start to thaw between the couple on Monday, George’s son Junior Knight (Micah Balfour) drops the bombshell that his dad went to see his mother, Sabrina, on Christmas night.

George then confesses that Sabrina kissed him, but swears he rejected her. However, Elaine is devastated that he’s lied again and throws him out of The Vic.

Cindy offers him a shoulder to cry on, but when Elaine spots them together on the balcony of The Albert, she retreats to the café and makes a phone call to Drew.

While she is waiting, a customer called Stephen tries to chat Elaine up. However, when Drew arrives, he bats Stephen away and gives Elaine a pep talk.

Elaine takes Drew’s words to heart and leads her to make a shocking decision that could have lasting consequences.