Fears for Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) continue to escalate in the build up to Christmas as EastEnders confirms more stalker torment for the much-loved character.

Festive cheer will be in short supply for Zoe, who staged an almighty comeback – one two decades in the making! – earlier this year, as her sinister stalker continues to make her life a living hell.

Things have been going bump in the night for months, with Zoe left terrified that someone is out to get her, with Halloween in particular proving challenging for her.

Speculation has been rife among fans, who are eager to know who exactly it is that is out to get Zoe, with names including Jean (Gillian Wright) and upcoming returnee Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) having entered in the conversation in recent weeks.

And next week, Zoe has a theory of her own.

With December arriving in the Square, the season of goodwill is just weeks away and thus preparations get underway.

But tension is rife at the Slaters, with Lily (Lilia Turner) fearing that Jean – who is assisting in organising Freddie (Bobby Brazier) and Anna Knight’s (Molly Rainford) farewell) – is pushing herself too hard.

Kat (Jessie Wallace), meanwhile, does her best to calm an agitated Zoe down.

As night falls on the Square, there residents gather for the Christmas lights switch on, with Elaine Knight (Harriet Thorpe) making a speech about departing Freddie and Anna.

But as the button is pressed and festive displays flood Bridge Street, cheer is in short supply, with a worrying message revealed in the window of the Queen Victoria.

Spooked, Zoe searches for answers and after snooping in Tommy’s (Sonny Kendall) rucksack, she is convinced that her little brother is her secret tormentor.

The question is: is her theory correct?

When confronted with the accusation, Tommy swears to Kat and Alfie moon (Shane Richie) that he is innocent – that he would never torment Zoe.

Unsure, Zoe lashes out at Kat, Alfie and Tommy before heading downstairs, where a row with Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig) ensues.

Left with little choice, Kat steps in and asks her daughter to leave. Anthony Trueman (Nicholas Bailey) invites Zoe to stay at his place and she takes him up on the offer.

And Anthony has issues of his own to deal with on the week in question, as the dynamics between he and Howie Dane (Delroy Atkinson) take a turn as both characters grow desperate to keep their secrets.

Later, Zoe’s friendship with Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) grows as they discuss the former’s long-lost son.

But as they head back to Lauren’s, it becomes apparent that someone is watching them from the shadows.

Just who is it?