Next week on EastEnders: Death shock for Sharon, plus a new arrival for the Taylors (spoilers)

A Walford villain meets his maker, Chelsea fears the worst, while Bailey sets her sights on a stray dog – it’s your big EastEnders rundown for the 15-19 March, 2021.

Chelsea’s airport nightmare

Planes may be grounded and would-be travellers on lockdown, but in the world of Walford, people are still making their way to airports. But not to take an innocent holiday, you understand. The reason why Chelsea has a suitcase in hand is because she has “the job” to do for her crooked overlords.

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But, inevitably, things don’t go to plan and Monday’s episode will climax with Chelsea’s case going through the scanner, only to then be shunted sideways for inspection. As a security guard takes a look inside, a panicked Chelsea waits for the truth to be revealed…

Sharon’s dad dies

I’m surprised that the writers wish to remind us that Gavin Sullivan was ever on the show. He was billed by show bosses as “an EastEnders villain like no other” and I guess they were right in that villains in Tintin stories are generally more terrifying. All Gav did was appear out of the darkness with a dodgy barnet and claim unconvincingly that Dirty Den’s “’ello, Princess” catchphrase was originally his.

But now, half a decade on from his police arrest, Sharon’s biological dad has been handed an off-screen death. It’s left to Kathy to break the news that Gavin is no more, and she and Shazzer then try to park their loathing for each other in order to attend a memorial service.

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Luckily for Kath, Sharon is far too angry with the deceased to take pot shots at her. In fact, following the send-off, she takes the urn and dumps its contents in a bin. But who is mysterious fellow mourner Zack? And why does he make such a scathing toast?

Will Bailey get her wish?

As one pet pooch heads to doggie heaven, another arrives in the Square. Yes, Bronson may have been put down, but who is this seemingly stray dog making off with Bailey’s hotdog? Well, this is Banjo, who a grieving Bailey desperately wants to keep.

A cash-strapped Karen initially insists that they haven’t got the money, but on Friday, she backs down and allows Banjo to stay. But are the Taylors right to claim the dog as their own? I’m thinking not, what with a missing dog poster having been fixed to the Minute Mart’s window.

However, when Mitch sees the notice, he guiltily rips it up, not wanting Bailey to be deprived of her new pet. But no doubt the dog’s true owner will make an appearance at some point in the future.

Suki makes threats

Ash’s future is being decided, with Peter assuring her that he’ll say he gave himself the meds. But, in the end, it’s bolshie, bee-hived Suki who stages an intervention when she turns up at the hospital and tells the consultant that she wants a word about her daughter.

Later, Suki will be seen revealing that she threatened Ash’s boss – an admission that doesn’t exactly go down with Ash herself. But amid the recrimination, will anyone spare a thought for the person who Suki confronted? They’re probably now going to need as much therapy as the NHS can offer.

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