EastEnders star Shane Richie has opened up about his character Alfie Moon’s shock when ex-wife Kat Mitchell (Jessie Wallace) makes a surprising move.

The pair are set to finally acknowledge their feelings towards each other in upcoming scenes, in the wake of son Tommy’s (Sonny Kendall) abusive behaviour.

Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) was forced to call social services on the youngster after seeing bruises he’d inflicted on brother Ernie’s arm.

She’d also seen Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier) spend the night in A&E when Tommy scalded him with hot soup.

Ahead of an intervention meeting, tensions are still running high amongst the much-loved clan – and Alfie is forced to intervene.

‘Over 40 years, EastEnders has been a show about how much you need your family’ actor Shane explained.

‘When your back is against the wall, it’s your family who are always there. Kat has cut herself off from the Slaters, so Alfie tries to convince her that the only way to get through this is with the help of the family.’

After tricking Kat into meeting up with Jean at The Vic, she is furious with Alfie – but his impassioned speech helps the family reconcile.

When Freddie notes that there is still chemistry between the ex-couple, Alfie is given food for thought.

‘The truth is that Alfie would do anything for Kat and that Kat is the person she wants to be when she’s with Alfie’ noted Shane.

‘But they are both fighting against it right now as they are trying to focus on bringing the boys up and all being under the same roof.’

After a difficult meeting with the social worker, Kat is hopeful that they’ll have Tommy living back with them by Christmas. Unfortunately, the teen remains cold with her, but Alfie manages to breakthrough to him slightly.

Deflated from the day’s events, the pair return to the flat and to Alfie’s surprise, Kat kisses him.

‘Alfie didn’t see it coming at all!’ Shane continued.

‘He had no idea because Kat had been reminding him for weeks that they were just friends, and she had no feelings for him.

‘Alfie’s resigned himself to this and that they’ll just be living together as parents and bringing up the kids together as friends.

‘But then Kat kisses him, and she kisses him in the way Kat kisses Alfie in the way she would have done back in the day, and it totally upends Alfie’s world!’

On whether fans can expect a permanent reunion, he teased: ‘Watch this space because there will be fireworks!’