EastEnders icon returns to Square next week - and it's bad news for Kat

It's been a huge week inEastEnders for Kat Slater - as she learnt she'd be the new landlady of the Vic after a surprise last minute shake-up during the auction.

Kat was left elated as her family are 'back where they belong' but her bubble may be burst next week as her relationship problems continue when Alfie returns to the Square. However, he refuses to tell her where he's actually been.

Viewers (and Stacey Slater) know that Alfie left for Barcelona to find his step-daughter Zoe Slater. It came after she fled from Stacey's London flat after a close run-in with her estranged mother, Kat. However, Kat is still unaware of any of this, as Alfie told her he was off to Australia to see his brother Spencer.

READ MORE: Coronation Street favourite sacked on the spot after weird behaviour

READ MORE: Death in Paradise-style spin-off announced with returning star and it's set in Benidorm

It didn't take long for Kat to work out this was a lie, after numerous phone calls to Spencer, with Alfie never able to come to the phone. Spoilers for next week reveal that Alfie will be making his return to the Square - but Kat's left fuming over her husband's lies.

On Monday night (July 21) we saw a clip of a frantic Alfie ringing from Barcelona, telling Stacey he hadn't yet found Zoe.

He then said the people that Zoe owed were asking for hard cash to cover Zoe's debts. He said he needed 50,000 Euros - as Stacey told Alfie she'd received £100,000 from Martin's life insurance.

What she failed to mention was that the money was going to be lent to Kat for a deposit for the Vic. Stacey later told Kat she couldn't lend her the money anymore, but after words of wisdom from Jean, Stacey had a change of heart - and Kat was victorious in taking over the Vic.

Spoilers for next week revealthat Alfie will return to the Square, but it's not a happy reunion with Kat as she tears into him for lying about where he's been.

Kat's under the impression that Alfie went to help his daughter Cherry, who he shares with Hayley Slater, after Stacey confirmed Jean's theory in a bid to cover up where he really was. Alfie promises to never lie to her again, but Kat has heard this promise many times before.

Of course, Stacey is the only one who knows the truth, but her mind is elsewhere next week as she celebrates Martin Fowler's birthday with her kids months on from his death.

It's not only the Slaters facing family trouble next week as there's concern for Patrick Trueman, as his fiancé Yolande is left worrying that her partner is gambling ahead of their wedding. He doesn't listen, proceeding to keep things a secret and when he wins big on the horses he convinces Howie Danes to hide it from Yolande.

Trouble for Patrick comes following the announcement of his son Anthony Trueman's return. With Anthony being Kat's ex - could that also bring trouble for Kat?

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

* Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok,Snapchat,Instagram,Twitter,Facebook,and Threads.