EastEnders icon Michelle Ryan has finally addressed the growing speculation surrounding Zoe Slater’s children, and she’s made it clear that fan theories couldn’t be further from the truth.
Last week, EastEnders fans were left reeling after a jaw-dropping flashback episode revealed a long-buried chapter in Zoe Slater’s life, a secret pregnancy and the birth of twins in 2006, just one year after she left Walford.
The storyline, now central to the Slater family’s ongoing drama, sent shockwaves across the Square and beyond, as viewers discovered that Zoe’s daughter was believed to have died, while her son was left abandoned in a hospital. The twist has sparked a frenzy of speculation online, with theories flooding social media about who the father of the twins could be.
In an interview with The Mirror, Michelle revealed fans are wrong with their theories and has thrown cold water on the speculation.
‘They’re all wrong, ’ she said with a knowing smile, addressing the hundreds of fan theories doing the rounds online.
Theories surrounding the twins’ paternity have been spreading like wildfire, with the two most prominent names being Anthony Trueman and the late Den Watts.
Fans have pointed to Zoe’s rekindled connection with Anthony, especially following his recent return for Patrick and Yolande’s wedding. Tensions between the former couple rose when Anthony helped save Zoe’s life after she was accidentally shot by Jack Branning. Many assumed this dramatic reunion was more than a coincidence.
Speaking exclusively to Metro on the red carpet at the National Television Awards, the actress, who made a sensational return to the BBC soap, played it cool when asked if Zoe and Anthony were rekindling their romance. Michelle offered a cheeky but revealing line:
‘Zoe is a free agent!’
That playful comment, paired with her confirmation that none of the popular theories are correct, firmly rules Anthony out as the father.
The other major theory, and perhaps the most controversial, links the twins to Den Watts, the infamous father of Sharon, who had a highly disturbing relationship with Zoe in the mid-2000s. Zoe famously told Den she was pregnant, but it was later revealed she’d had an abortion. Still, some fans are convinced the twins could be the product of that storyline.
But Michelle Ryan’s statement now leaves those ideas dead in the water.
Michelle’s return to EastEnders marks a huge moment for the soap, as Zoe Slater remains one of the most iconic characters of the early 2000s, known for fiery family dynamics, emotional trauma, and one of the most infamous moments in British soap history: ‘You ain’t my mother!’ ‘Yes I am!’
Speaking about her return, Michelle was full of praise for how the show has reintroduced Zoe after so many years, and the emotional depth they’ve given her character.
‘She’s a damaged, complex woman,’ she said. ‘Really interesting to play.’
She revealed: ‘Zoe is challenged at every turn, there’s no easy run for her’, ‘EastEnders is really having fun with putting her through as many tests as they possibly can.’
And while some actors may struggle to reconnect with characters from the past, for Michelle, slipping back into Zoe’s shoes was surprisingly effortless.
‘It didn’t take very much,’ she admitted. ‘I was blown away by the writers and how they’ve found their way with Zoe after all these years.’
The actress also hinted that there’s a lot more to come, especially when it comes to Zoe’s emotional arc and how her past continues to affect her present. Earlier this year, Zoe hired a private investigator to find her son, using funds from none other than Max Branning, who also made a surprise return.
With Michelle Ryan confirming that all current fan theories are off the mark, the question remains: who is the father of Zoe Slater’s twins? If it’s not Anthony, and not Den, then who?
Could it be a brand-new character we haven’t met yet? Or perhaps someone unexpected from Zoe’s past who hasn’t yet been reintroduced? The writers clearly have big plans for Zoe’s story, and they’re keeping fans guessing at every step.
For now, Michelle is enjoying being back on the Square, playing a character whose life is only growing more complicated with time.
As the mystery deepens and more pieces of Zoe’s past come to light, one thing is certain: Michelle Ryan is back, and she’s here to stir things up.
Who could the real father be? Share your theories, just don’t expect Michelle Ryan to confirm them any time soon!
