EastEnders spoilers follow.

EastEnders is set to reveal newcomer Joel Marshall’s dark side next week, as he grows closer to Avani Nandra-Hart.

Still reeling from the news that her police complaint won’t be taken any further, Avani invites Amy, Denzel and Nugget over to No. 41 – before Joel and Tommy turn up with a bottle of vodka.

However, Tommy soon feels embarrassed when his male peers tease him about his lack of experience with girls, and Joel is quick to offer some troubling advice…

“Joel is quickly becoming a bad influence,” says our insider. “Not only has he been underage drinking, but he also makes an uncomfortable remark to Tommy.

denzel, amy mitchell, avani nandrahart, eastenders

BBC

Related: Best streaming services

“Priya has no idea what’s going on back at home, and it’s safe to say that her and Ravi would be mortified if they knew.”

Avani later meets up with local dealer, Declan, and requests free marijuana from him. Declan declines her bold request, before Joel twigs onto the situation and fronts some cash.

As Joel tries to arrange to meet up to share the drugs, it seems that Avani is drifting even further from her loving parents – with Priya’s row with Callum leaving her majorly unimpressed.

declan, avani nandrahart, eastenders

BBC

joel, declan, avani nandrahart, eastenders

BBC

Related: EastEnders reveals huge danger for Nicola in mystery intruder plot

It’s no secret that Barney has a soft spot for Avani. So, when the teen enjoys quality time with his friend at No.1, he’s gutted when Joel and Tommy rock up to join them.

And he is left even more unsettled by the boys’ presence when Joel makes a nasty comment about Avani after she leaves the room.

“Barney really likes Avani,” our insider explains, “and he’s suggested that he’d love them to be more than friends. So he’s disappointed that she appears to be drawn to mysterious newcomer Joel.

avani nandrahart, joel, eastenders

BBC

avani nandrahart, barney mitchell, joel, eastenders

BBC

Related: EastEnders confirms Phil Mitchell’s poignant decision

“When Joel secretly degrades Avani in front of his friends, Barney fears that his intentions are far from pure. And he isn’t going to let him get away with it…”

Protective, Barney makes a stand against his rebellious schoolmate – but Joel convinces Avani that the Mitchell boy was the one that turned up the heat.

Later, Joel seizes the opportunity to make a move on Avani while they smoke weed together. Should Barney worry for his friend?

EastEnders airs on Mondays – Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.

Read more EastEnders spoilers on our dedicated homepage

Deals that might interest youShop Sky TV, broadband and mobile dealsShop Sky TV, broadband and mobile dealsStranger Things Hellfire Club Dice Dangle CharmStranger Things Hellfire Club Dice Dangle CharmCredit: PandoraShop Claudia Winkleman's Traitors looksShop Claudia Winkleman’s Traitors looksCredit: BBC / Studio LambertOn SaleRichard Osman: We Solve MurdersRichard Osman: We Solve MurdersCredit: VikingShop PS5 consolesShop PS5 consolesCredit: PlayStationShop Alison Hammond's outfitsShop Alison Hammond’s outfitsCredit: Mark BourdillonApple TV+ 7-day free trialApple TV+ 7-day free trialCredit: Apple TV+Sign up for Disney+Sign up for Disney+Credit: Chuck ZlotnickThe Street of Lies: An Official Coronation Street Interactive NovelThe Street of Lies: An Official Coronation Street Interactive NovelCredit: Octopus BooksDeath in Paradise: The Puzzle BookDeath in Paradise: The Puzzle BookCredit: BBC Books