EastEnders: Kat Slater’s comeback storyline explained as it’s confirmed she’s been spending lockdown in Walford

EASTENDERS actor Davood Ghadami - who plays Kat Slater’s on-screen boyfriend Kush - has confirmed that Jessie Wallace will return to the soap when it goes back on air after its summer hiatus.

Fans of the BBC soap were baffled when Kat left back in March after receiving an urgent phone call from a mystery caller. Here’s the lowdown on her return...

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When is Kat Slater returning to EastEnders?

Jessie Wallace was spotted arriving at the Elstree studios at the end of June, sparking speculation that she is reprising her role as Kat when the soap returns.

And speaking about Kat’s return on EastEnders: Secrets From the Square, Davood confirmed that Kat would be back when the soap goes back on air.

EastEnders has been off air since June following a production break due to the coronavirus, but is expected to return later this year. 

In early June, a show insider suggested that the soap may not return to our screens until September.

So fans may have a little while to wait to witness Kat in Albert Square once again.

What will Kat Slater’s comeback storyline in EastEnders be?

It’s likely Kat Slater’s comeback storyline will centre around poor Jean Slater, who had banished Kush and Mo from the house after their irresponsible intervention just as EastEnders episodes ran out. 

Speaking on EastEnders: Secrets From The Square, Kush revealed that Jean has forgiven Kush.

He revealed: "The last thing we saw was him having a bit of difficulty with Jean and trying to sort it out but going about it the wrong way. But he's forgiven by Jean and let back into 31, so he's in 31 with all the kids, with Jean, with Mo, with Shirley."

Adding that Kat is already back in Walford and has been spending lockdown with Kush and Jean, the actor said: “And we also have Kat back, so they actually spend lockdown together.”

He continued: "Can you just imagine? All those characters?"

Will Kat manage to persuade Jean to get the help she needs?

Where has Kat been in EastEnders?

EastEnders are yet to reveal where Kat ran off to after receiving the mystery phone call. 

But fans are convinced it was Stacey on the other end of the phone and that the pair will make a dramatic comeback together. 

Lacey Turner has also been absent from the soap on maternity leave, but was spotted back on set at the end of June as EastEnders production resumed.

Might they team up in order to help Jean?

Why did Jessie Wallace leave EastEnders?

It was revealed in January that Jessie had been suspended from EastEnders after allegedly drinking on set. 

Bosses held a crisis meeting and decided to axe her from the soap for two months so she could “sort herself out”.

The actress had already filmed scenes for the soap’s 35th anniversary special - which was filmed out of sequence - so writers had to come up with a storyline to explain her temporary departure.