A fan favourite character had been missing from the Albert Square programme for a number of episodes
EastEnders fans expressed their delight that a ‘missing’ character is ‘back front and centre where she belongs’ following scenes that aired on Monday (March 3).
Recent weeks have seen viewers of the BBC soap confused to the whereabouts of Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace), who was absent for the majority of the 40th anniversary week last month.
Despite Alfie bringing their children to Billy and Honey’s wedding, held on the night of the Queen Vic explosion, Kat was nowhere to be seen.
Fans were overjoyed when she made a brief appearance at the East London town’s cafe in the recent live episode, where she noted that she was ‘only gone a few hours’.
This week has seen the soap focusing more on Kat and Alfie’s struggles with their teenage son Tommy, who had been removed from their home due to being violent with his family members.
Tommy’s parents were delighted to see that he wanted to set up a support group to help his friends going through similar troubles as he seemed to turn a new leaf after living with Zack Hudson for several months.
Later on in the episode, Kat paid a visit to her close friend Bianca Jackson, who has been showing signs of PTSD after being held captive by her sister Sonia’s evil ex-fiance Reiss Colwell for several months.
Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) was back in the spotlight after being absent for the majority of the 40th anniversary week last month(Image: BBC)
Following Reiss being fatally crushed by a bathtub after the explosion at the Queen Vic, Bianca has been struggling with getting her life back on track.
Offering her some kind words, Kat told Bianca: “You might be a lot of things, but weak is not one of them. We are works in progress, not that we’re not masterpieces…. We’re struggling to get through it, but we do.”
After being relegated to the background for several weeks, EastEnders fans took to social media to praise Jessie’s performance and manifest more of Kat going forward.
@RyanTheSoapking said: “Bianca & Kat dancing together filled my heart with so much joy. It reminded me of the fun scenes Heather & Shirley used to have together in the Launderette. I love Bianca & Kat’s friendship so much. So pleased that Kat is back front and centre where she belongs #EastEnders.”
@HighStreetRichB added: “Kat Slater Is Back! I love her.” @kaysiemay7 wrote: “Kat being there for Bianca and making her genuinely smile and laugh for the first time in months is so wholesome #eastenders.”
@whoniversalnew1 stated: “Tonight’s #EastEnders is fabulous!! Kat & Bianca’s friendship is absolute gold!!” @mrrobertbrendan commented: “Kat and Alfie in Eastenders! Been a while ! I thought they were supporting artists these days! #eastenders.”
The coming weeks will see Kat coming to learn the truth about who her son is talking to online, with Tommy’s new outlook on life not as positive as her parents would like.
