![\"Honey](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/521623-24b3.jpg\")
\n\t\tA half Christmas tradition gets underway (Picture: BBC)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tA half Christmas tradition gets underway (Picture: BBC)<\/p>\n
Christmas may still be six months away, but EastEnders<\/a> is set to kick off a surprise festive storyline next week amid more drama for the Mitchell family.\u00a0<\/p>\n Recent weeks have seen the clan\u2019s lives as they knew them were blown apart, after it was revealed Nicola Mitchell<\/a> (Laura Doddington<\/a>) murdered<\/a> her son Harry<\/a>\u2019s (Elijah Holloway<\/a>) girlfriend Shireen.\u00a0<\/p>\n This triggered a series of explosive events<\/a> that culminated in another of Nicola\u2019s big secrets being uncovered, as her youngest son Barney<\/a> (Lewis Bridgeman<\/a>) discovered that Zack Hudson<\/a> (James Farrar<\/a>) is his biological father, not Teddy Mitchell<\/a> (Roland Manookian<\/a>).\u00a0<\/p>\n While the family have tried to get back on track, Barney is still struggling with his paternity bombshell<\/a>, and the stress causes him to fail a chemistry exam next week.<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t Wanting to cheer him up, a concerned Nicola hits upon the idea of resurrecting their family \u2018Half Christmas\u2019 tradition, where they celebrate in June.\u00a0<\/p>\n Harry is scathing about the idea and later stirs the pot by inviting Zack along, lying that Barney wants him there.\u00a0<\/p>\n As Nicola goes all out to decorate, Teddy delivers some brutal home truths, prompting her to trash the room just as Barney and Harry arrive.<\/p>\n The celebrations eventually get back on track, but there\u2019s a shock in store when Zack arrives.\u00a0<\/p>\n Having caused chaos, Harry revels as a furious Nicola throws Zack out, as Barney also rushes out.\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tFollow Metro Soaps on WhatsApp and get all the latest spoilers first!\t\t\t<\/p>\n Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who\u2019s leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale?<\/p>\n Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro’s WhatsApp Soaps community<\/a> and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews.<\/p>\n Simply\u00a0click on this link<\/strong><\/a>, select \u2018Join Chat\u2019 and you\u2019re in! Don’t forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we’ve just dropped the latest spoilers! <\/p>\n After Teddy chases after him, they have a deep conversation during which he promises to support Barney if he wants to get to know Zack.<\/p>\n Nicola also tries to build bridges with Barney by taking him for a meal at Walford East, but another run-in with Zack causes yet more tension.\u00a0<\/p>\n Is there a world in which Barney and Zack can have a relationship, or has Nicola got more tricks up her dastardly sleeve?\u00a0<\/p>\n EastEnders airs these scenes from Monday 23 June at 7.30pm on BBC One or stream first from 6am on iPlayer.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us\u00a0soaps@metro.co.uk<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/strong><\/p>\n Join the community by leaving a comment below and\u00a0stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Arrow Arrow![\"Nicola](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/521682-a895.jpg\")
\n\t\tNicola attempts to cheer Barney up (Picture: BBC)<\/p>\n![\"Teddy](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/521618-b00f.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe youngster fails an exam (Picture: BBC)<\/p>\n
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\nMORE: All 69 EastEnders pictures for next week as unexpected custody battle is ignited<\/a><\/p>\n