Lynne Slater hasn’t been seen since 2004 on EastEnders but now the soap has shared a sad update on the legend
Joe Crutchley Screen Time Reporter
11:49, 06 Nov 2025Updated 11:56, 06 Nov 2025
EastEnders reveals devastating Lynne Slater update 21 years after last appearance(Image: BBC)
EastEnders has issued a sad update on soap legend Lynne Slater and fans will be gutted.
Lynne (Elaine Lordan) made her debut way back in 2000, rocking up to Walford with the rest of the Slater clan, sisters Kat (Jessie Wallace), Little Mo (Kacey Ainsworth), niece Zoe (Michelle Ryan), father Charlie (Derek Martin) and nan Big Mo (Laila Morse).
And as the eldest Slater sister, Lynne played a part in several big storylines. From her turbulent relationship with husband, Garry Hobbs (Ricky Groves) to being involved in a drunk-driving incident, Lynne’s time in Albert Square was not short of drama.
However, in 2004, Lynne left Walford following the death of her unborn baby, which sparked her separation from Garry,
She rocked up in 2000(Image: BBC)
While she hasn’t been seen since in the 21 years since leaving, Lynne has been mentioned a few times. In 2007, the Slater family find out Lynne is happily engaged to someone else.
And when Charlie died, Lynne attended his funeral in January 2016 off-screen. More recently, cousin Stacey (Lacey Turner) revealed Lynne was looking after her children Hope and Arthur, while she dealt with Zoe Slater’s drama.
The soap has shared an update(Image: BBC)
However, during Thursday’s episode (November 6) of EastEnders, the soap issued a sad update on Lynne. While talking to Big Mo on the phone, Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) was told that Lynne has got to have an operation on her leg, and as a result Mo has got to take care of her for a while.
Meanwhile, after Zoe Slater returned this year, fans at the time were predicting a Lynne comeback too. What’s more, actress Elaine also reunited with Lucy Benjamin who posted a photo of them together on social media in July last year.
Lynne was last seen in 2004(Image: BBC)
Lucy played Lisa Fowler on and off between 1998 and 2023. The snap was re-discovered amid the soap’s 40th anniversary celebrations. The image showed the two sharing a selfie together. It was a rare look at Elaine following her departure from the BBC soap, as the star withdrew from the public eye afterwards.
Lucy had said of her reunion with Elaine: “Oh I love this woman with all my heart! #ElaineLordan #eastenders.” Responding, one hopeful fan posted: “Aaaaah come back Lynne Slater!! That would be amazing.”
Another eager fan agreed: “We need all the Slater sisters back again!” A third viewer added: “Lisa and Lynne return for the 40th?” The comments kept on coming too, with another post reading: “Now please come back on tv.”
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One.