EASTENDERS fans reckon they’ve worked out the real reason behind Zoe Slater’s shock comeback.

The iconic character made her dramatic return to Walford after two decades away, but viewers are already speculating there’s a hidden agenda behind the familiar face resurfacing.

Zoe, played by Michelle Ryan, is back but some viewers are convinced she’s not here for a cosy family catch-up.

Instead, they think she’s got unfinished business with Ross and stepson Joel, who rocked up alongside Vicki Fowler earlier this year for Martin Fowler’s funeral.

Since landing on the Square, teen Joel has been ruffling feathers – and while fans have uncovered a string of his dark secrets, one mystery remains… who’s his real mum?

Now, viewers reckon Zoe could be hiding the ultimate bombshell.

Taking to the Instagram, one fan wrote: “We reckon she’s Joel’s mum!”

Another added: “Omg it will be crazy if she is acc Joel’s biological mum!”

A third penned: “You ain’t my mother” to be recreated with Zoe & Joel, I predict.”

Viewers will see Zoe in two further episodes this week – but she will be on board full-time this summer.

Speaking on her return to the BBC soap, Michelle said: “It feels like coming home.

“After doing my first few scenes, it was like I’d never been away.

“It all happened at the right time.

“I’d already been thinking about a return because I’d met up with Kacey Ainsworth (Little Mo) and Kim Medcalf (Sam Mitchell) and we were reminiscing our fond memories of the show, and I’d also joined social media and saw that there was still a lot of love for the character.

“It just so happened that at the same time, EastEnders had announced a new Exec who was keen to explore the potential of a return as he was such a massive fan of Zoe and the Slaters, so both of our worlds aligned at the right time, and I’m so excited to be back.

“When I was pitched the storylines, and when I read the scripts, I knew it was the right decision.”

EastEnders new boss, Executive Producer Ben Wadey added: “Before I even stepped into the role, Zoe Slater was on my wish-list of returnees as, although we haven’t seen her on screen for twenty years, her character has transcended time due to her popular storylines.”