Anthony Trueman The Real Father Of Zoe’s Kids | EastEnders
EastEnders SHOCK: Anthony Trueman Suggests Psychotic Break After Zoe Slater’s Massive Lie and VHS Tape Reveal
Walford was thrown into chaos this week as Zoe Slater’s world collapsed under the weight of her own lies, leading to one of the most haunting and unpredictable episodes in recent EastEnders history. What began as a desperate attempt to find her missing son spiraled into psychological turmoil — culminating in a chilling diagnosis from Dr. Anthony Trueman that left the Slater family reeling.
💣 The Lie That Shattered Everything
Zoe’s latest downfall began when her web of deceit was finally exposed. In a shocking revelation, it emerged that she had lied about the paternity of her children, claiming that Dennis Rickman was not their father. The lie, designed to manipulate Sharon Watts into funding a private investigator, detonated spectacularly when Sharon discovered the truth.
The confrontation in the Queen Vic was explosive — Sharon’s fury clashed with Zoe’s guilt and desperation. The fallout proved so intense that Sharon began making plans to leave Walford once again, telling Vicky Fowler she “couldn’t bear another betrayal on this square.”
For Zoe, the aftermath was catastrophic. Cat Slater, weary of her daughter’s manipulations, issued a brutal ultimatum:
“Make it right, Zoe — or get out. I can’t protect you from the truth anymore.”
🩸 A Vandalized Photograph and a VHS from the Past
As tension consumed the Slater household, Zoe’s mental state began to unravel. When she found a smashed photograph of herself and Cat, she immediately accused her mother of doing it out of anger. Cat denied it, but the accusation revealed something darker — Zoe’s growing paranoia and disconnection from reality.
Then, during a chaotic Halloween clean-up at the Queen Vic, Alfie Moon stumbled upon a dusty VHS tape hidden behind old decorations. Labelled only with the year 1987, the tape piqued everyone’s curiosity.
When it was played, the pub fell silent. The grainy footage showed a family gathering — laughter, dancing, and, shockingly, Harry Slater, Cat’s late uncle and Zoe’s father, appearing alive and cheerful. His unexpected presence in the recording — and the implication that he may have hidden secrets of his own — sent Zoe into a tailspin.
She erupted in panic, screaming at everyone to leave before hurling a glass at the screen. “Stop watching him! Stop looking at me!” she cried, before locking herself in the back room.
🧠 Anthony Trueman’s Diagnosis — or Manipulation?
By the end of the episode, Anthony Trueman stepped in — not as a former lover, but as a doctor. After ruling out medical causes for Zoe’s breakdown, Anthony delivered a grim assessment:
“Zoe’s exhibiting signs of acute psychosis — she’s lost the line between truth and delusion.”
He urged the family to consider professional care, but his clinical tone struck many as cold and detached. Viewers quickly flooded social media questioning Anthony’s motives, wondering whether he was genuinely concerned or manipulating Zoe for reasons yet to be revealed.
One fan wrote:
“Anthony’s diagnosis felt rehearsed — like he’s steering the Slaters toward something bigger. Why is he always there when Zoe breaks?”
Others pointed out that his constant proximity to Zoe’s crises has become suspicious, especially given his murky past and unexplained phone calls earlier this month.
💔 Lauren Branning’s Heartbreak — and a Dangerous Scam
While Zoe’s mental health collapse dominated headlines, Lauren Branning faced her own devastating ordeal. Doctors confirmed that her son Jimmy has been diagnosed with optic nerve and choroiretinal coloboma, a rare congenital eye condition.
Crushed by guilt and desperation, Lauren turns to the internet, where she stumbles upon what appears to be a revolutionary new treatment. But unbeknownst to her, the clinic she contacts is a scam, preying on parents of sick children.
The storyline, produced in collaboration with the BBC’s Safe Scam Week initiative, mirrors real-world fraud cases — and recalls Jean Slater’s infamous pension scam arc from last year.
Jacqueline Jossa, who plays Lauren, described the plot as “a heartbreaking reminder of how easily hope can be weaponized.”
🚇 Jean Trapped, Stacey Leaves — and a Final Goodbye
Elsewhere, Jean Slater faces her own emotional crucible as her daughter Stacey prepares for a temporary move to Brazil. The bittersweet farewell takes a terrifying turn when Jean becomes trapped on a stalled tube train, triggering a severe panic attack.
As alarms blare and passengers panic, Jean’s memories of Stacey’s departure flood her mind — and she begins to fear she’ll never make it back in time to say goodbye. The emotional sequence will air in Monday’s episode and has been teased as a standout performance from Gillian Wright, who has portrayed Jean since 2004.
🎬 Sonia Fowler’s Future — A Glimmer of Hope
Amid the darkness, fans received a welcome surprise: Natalie Cassidy, who plays Sonia Fowler, has hinted she may return for short arcs. “I love my time off,” Cassidy said, “but Sonia is part of me. I’d never say never.”
Her comments sparked excitement that Sonia could return in time to support Lauren or even cross paths with the unraveling Zoe Slater storyline — bringing together two of Walford’s most iconic families.
🔥 What’s Next for Zoe and Anthony?
The final shot of Friday’s episode showed Zoe sitting alone on the Queen Vic floor, surrounded by shards of the smashed VHS cassette, whispering, “He’s still watching me.”
Anthony, watching from outside, looked on — expression unreadable. Is he protecting her… or controlling her?
As Walford braces for a psychological spiral that could consume the entire Slater clan, one chilling question lingers in viewers’ minds:
Is Zoe truly losing her grip on reality — or is someone else helping her unravel?
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30 p.m. on BBC One. Episodes stream early from 6:00 a.m. on BBC iPlayer.