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He has loose ends to tie.
EastEnders is preparing to welcome back one of its darkest ever villains as serial killer Gray Atkins is set to make a bombshell return to Albert Square. Walford has already been plunged into chaos in recent weeks following the death of Nigel Bates, while Bea Pollard continues to cause trouble across the Square.
Gray Atkins - played by Toby-Alexander Smith - is expected to return in a surprise cameo almost four years after his character was finally exposed and thrown behind bars for multiple murders and the horrific abuse of his wife, Chantelle Atkins.
Soap bosses are remaining tight-lipped about the comeback, but insiders say Gray will appear from prison for a short stint, and that his return will have major consequences for Walford residents.
Gray first arrived in 2019 as a successful solicitor and the husband of Chantelle Atkins.
Initially introduced as a charming and dependable man, the character's mask quickly fell with a thud when he became central to one of the soap's most harrowing domestic abuse storylines. Behind closed doors, Gray subjected Chantelle to prolonged physical, emotional and even sexual abuse by controlling her every move and isolating her from family members.
In 2020, Chantelle tragically died after attempting to free herself from Gray's grasp during a violent confrontation. But she wasn't his only victim. As he spiralled even further, Gray went on to murder Tina Carter after she threatened to expose his abuse, and concealed her body under the Argee Bhajee restaurant for months.
Gray's killing spree escalated again in 2021 when Kush Kazemi became another victim in the midst of his obsession with Whitney Dean. In one of EastEnders' most shocking scenes, Gray pushed Kush in front of an incoming train at Walford tube station to stop him from fleeing Albert Square with Whitney.
Since leaving EastEnders, Toby-Alexander Smith has continued building his acting career, appearing in projects including An American in Austen, Love Across Time, Murder Between Friends and four episodes of Seeking Persephone.
Off-screen, he also shares a high-profile relationship with Amy Walsh, best known for playing Tracy Robinson in rival ITV soap Emmerdale. The couple welcomed their first daughter in 2021 before tying the knot in a private ceremony two years later, during which Toby's former co-star Shona McGarty performed. Earlier this year, the pair also welcomed their second daughter.
In 2025, the couple launched their own performing arts school for children aged 7 to 16, designed to help train aspiring young actors. But despite moving on professionally, it seems Gray may not have said his last word just yet.
Can Prince and Vicky make a go of things?
Hollyoaks has confirmed a new romance for Vicky Grant, but there’s something sinister lurking in the background as her new love interest receives a threatening message.
Viewers know that Vicky was in a coma following last month's terrifying car crash that included Charlie Dean, Frankie Osborne, and the Keane family.
Before the crash, Vicky was pursuing a romance with Charlie, but it has since fallen apart and now Vicky is set to take an interest in Prince.
She started forming a connection with Prince earlier this year and found out that he was taking steroids, while Prince discovered Vicky was using weight-loss injections.
In scenes that will air next week, Prince’s troubles deepen as he places another order for steroids, before receiving a threatening message about the £1,000 he owes.
Vicky is discharged and glad to be home. Thinking there might be something between them and wanting something to keep Vicky’s spirits high, Misbah invites Prince round to join the family for tea.
Vicky confronts Prince about his steroid use, saying he doesn't need to change his appearance and that she already finds him attractive. The pair then share a kiss.
Later in the week, Prince heads over to the Maaliks’ house to see Vicky. Can Prince and Vicky make a go of things?
Tissues at the ready…
The residents of Walford say an emotional farewell to Nigel Bates in EastEnders next week, as the day of his funeral service arrives. But will everyone be able to cope with the immense loss on the day?
Although his nearest and dearest knew that Nigel’s death was coming, it doesn’t make it any easier when the moment finally comes to lay him to rest. On the morning of the ceremony, his wife Julie Bates continues to struggle with writing her late husband’s eulogy - so she turns to her loved ones for help.
"Julie doesn’t see how she can pour decades of her love for Nigel into just a short speech; she’s really struggling," explains our EastEnders insider.
She wants to do Nigel justice and make sure everything is just right. Luckily, once she finds the special memory, she suddenly feels certain that she’s found the right words to send off her sweetheart."
"Up at the lectern alone, Julie looks so vulnerable. Luckily, she’s surrounded by love in Walford and has the full support of everyone who loved Nigel, too. It’s going to be a difficult road ahead without her husband, but Julie doesn’t have to navigate her grief in silence."
After the service, Julie and Nigel's oldest friend Phil gather to share a heart-to-heart about their lost loved one. However, they’re soon interrupted when his sister Sam barges in and demands that Phil spend time with her and brother Grant…
"They’ve come a long way together since Julie first came back to Walford, and although their friendship has faced some roadblocks, they’re now totally united in their grief and adoration for the brilliant man that Nigel was. Let’s just hope it stays that way!"
Once all is said and done, peaceful Julie finally works up the courage to open the precious letter that contains Nigel’s parting words to her.
Will the final piece she has left of her beloved help her come to terms with his death and shape her future? Or will Nigel’s letter bring fresh agony for the grieving widow?
Ro drops a bombshell or two.
Hollyoaks has uncovered two devastating lies amid the chaos of Ste Hay and Rex Gallagher's upcoming wedding. Last week, Ro Hutchinson found out that his mum Diane, who has terminal cancer, had booked a family holiday without buying a ticket for herself.
Ste and Ro are unaware that Rex already knows about Ste and James, as he recently overheard a conversation between the pair in which Ste sent James packing.
A comment from Rex left Leela wondering if he knew about Ste’s affair when he questioned if he was "the only one" for Ste.
After talking to Kathleen-Angel about looking out for friends, Ro was inspired to tell Rex what he heard last night about Ste cheating on him.
Ste panicked when Leela told him that she thought Rex knew the truth about James and Ste concluded that the pair were being paranoid.
He said: "This is just pre-wedding nerves and we're being paranoid. We're going out and we're going to have a nice meal. 'Cause there's no way that he knows."
At the garage, Ro went to tell Rex the truth, but before he could say anything, Rex, fearing that the lovelorn teenager still had a crush on him, fired him.
During Rex and Ste's pre-wedding dinner at The Dog, Nancy shared stolen glances at her struggling friend Diane while Ste remained convinced that his husband-to-be didn’t know anything.
Attempting to stop the wedding and wanting to protect Rex, he said: "At least I can be honest, unlike you two. You hiding who you are, and you cheating on him with James."
After everyone left, Ro also confronted Diane after finding out that she hadn’t booked herself a flight ticket, saying: "You're lying about how much time you've got left, aren't ya?"
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