Tameka Empson set to return to EastEnders for Christmas Day episode

The Christmas episode is always full of drama!

Author: Marianna MansonPublished 23rd Oct 2019
Last updated 23rd Oct 2019

The Christmas Day EastEnders special is shaping up to be QUITE the event, as one of the most popular characters will be back on the Square in time for the explosive episode.

Actress Tameka Empson has confirmed her character Kim Fox will be making her return to Walford for what’s beginning to seem like one of the most exciting East End Christmasses of all time.

“Kim has been working in Scotland as a tour guide,” she told The Daily Star, explaining her six month absence. “But she's coming back soon.

“And I'm hoping it will be a big storyline. With Kim Fox it's got to be big. We can't just have her turning up at the cafe. I don't know what I'll be doing. All I know is it will be a Christmas cracker!"

Check out next week's EastEnders spoilers:

The week begins with Sharon arriving back in Walford after her visit in Portugal. When Louise reveals she's moving abroad with Keanu, Sharon pretends to be surprised.

Later while alone, Keanu begs Sharon to help stop Louise from moving to Portugal but Mel isn't far away and warns him to play along.


Mel continues to interfere with the Mitchell family and invites Ruby Allen over to the E20 and makes her a shocking offer – first refusal to buy the club.

Ruby doubts that Sharon will sell the club but Mel is quick to reassure her that she definitely will. Mel then makes it clear that she'll do whatever it takes as she threatens Sharon to do as she says.

While all this drama is going on Lisa Fowler begins to grow annoyed when Mel keeps interfering with Louise's future.


After Mel and Ruby discuss the sale of the club, Ruby pays Sharon a visit and it quickly becomes clear that they're on different pages; it's not long before they begin to exchange harsh words.

Sharon opens up to Ben Mitchell and admits that Mel is the real reason she's selling E20 but she's stunned when he shares a shocking secret that changes everything.

Lisa tries to encourage Mel to grief properly for Hunter Owen by visiting a counsellor. However, shortly after their conversation it dawns on Lisa that Mel has no intention on getting help.

Following Ben's revelation, Sharon goes head to head with Mel in an ultimate showdown. It then becomes clear to Mel that her plan is unravelling and she tries to gain back control.

Keanu continues to grow frustrated with Mel's involvement and opens up to Lisa. When Louise has a false alarm with the baby it becomes clear to Lisa just how overbearing Mel has become.

Ben Mitchell accidentally lets slip to Karen Taylor that Louise and Keanu are moving to Portugal and she's left devastated.

Meanwhile on the Square, Mariam Ahmed confronts Adam Bateman about his relationship with Habiba and it results in an emotional heart to heart.


Mariam opens up to her granddaughter and confesses that she blames herself for Adam's latest actions which leaves Habiba furious.

When Mariam tells Honey Michell that she knows about Adam's affair, Honey denies it and accuses Mariam of trying to ruin her relationship. She's then left stunned at Mariam's reaction.

On the day of The Vic's Halloween party everyone is having the time of their life all dressed up and celebrating. Honey finally puts her foot down and tells Adam that he will attend the party.

When they get to the pub, Adam apologies for being absent and suggest they all go on a family holiday, leaving Honey thrilled.

When Habiba arrives at The Vic, Honey seeks relationship advice from Mick Carter. After noticing how upset she is, the landlord hatches a plan to cheer her up.

At the Halloween party in The Vic, Chantelle Atkins encourages Whitney to speak to Leo. As sparks fly between the pair they end up sharing a passionate kiss.

Ben Mitchell is shocked when the Panesar brothers arrive in Walford and he's quick to confront them. He's then left embarrassed when Kheerat reveals they're not on the Square to see him.

Elsewhere Jags recognises a familiar face in Walford… At the end of the week Kheerat and Ash have a showdown as their family history comes to light.

Ian Beale confronts Iqra Ahmed and Keegan when he discovers they've been using his kitchen for their own private business.

Dotty Cotton recently returned to Walford and it soon becomes clear that she's up to her old tricks when she tries to sabotage Keegan's business.

After the incident with Dotty, Ian tries to encourage Keegan to give up and quit his business. Tiffany Butcher is annoyed when she overhears Jack Branning planning to put her and Keegan off their engagement.

Tiffany is further infuriated when she finds out what Dotty has been up to and wastes no time in confronting her. When Ian discovers that Keegan has not closed his business, he decides to take matters into his own hands.

Bobby Beale is annoyed when his dad doesn't listen to him. It then becomes clear to the teenager that Ian's only concern at the moment is to become Walford's new Councillor.

Tameka isn’t the only star to have given us an insight into what to expect this festive season, with Danny Walters, who plays Keanu Taylor on the soap, also letting us into some secrets.

"It's going to be explosive, like classic Christmas Day. There’s a lot of involvement of the Keanu and Sharon storyline,” he said.

"And it’s been going for a while, the Sheanu storyline and you see different elements to the relationship - when he’s been tied to the bed with pink fluffy handcuffs and you’ve seen him when he’s tied to a warehouse, threatened with death."

Albert Square legend Mick Carter, AKA Danny Dyer, appeared on The One show earlier this month to discuss the “powerful” episode.

“Listen it’s the most important episode of the year, it’s powerful,” he told hosts Patrick Kielty and Michelle Ackerley.

“There’s always a bit of a knees up, there’s always going to be some sort of punch up going on.

“It’s brilliant this year every year’s brilliant but this year it’s a culmination of many storylines coming together.”

EastEnders airs on Mondays and Fridays at 8pm, and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One.

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