EastEnders' Sharon Watts' 'tragic return sealed' after jaw-dropping cliffhanger

Zoe Slater has finally made her epic return to Albert Square, but there's one EastEnders character fans are still waiting to come back - Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean). However, after tonight's episode, fans think her return may be sooner than we think - but they fear the worst.

EastEnders fans watched on in awe tonight, as Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) finally made her proper return to the Square, and was reunited with her grandmother, Mo Harris, while meeting her brothers Bert and Ernie for the first time.

However, it wasn't all happy families as she had an explosive argument with her mother, Kat, resulting in them storming out of the Vic.

READ MORE: EastEnders spoilers reveal huge fallout after Kat and Zoe's 'cinematic' reunion scenes

READ MORE: Everything to know about Zoe Slater's EastEnders return as BBC bosses make huge U-turn

Outside however, there was more drama going on when Jack Branning learnt that Ravi Gulati had snuck into his house to steal back the gun - which went missing. The two ended up in a psychical fight on the street, and looked mortified when the gun shot went off.

We know someone has been shot - but the question on everyone's mind is who? Theories have been floating around X, formerly known as Twitter with many believing it was Sharon Watts.

Earlier this month, fans were overjoyed when Sharon appeared in Zoe's return trailer after being absent since Martin's funeral.

Now, fans suspect it meant she was 'part of Zoe's return' and fear this is how she's going to make her tragic return to the Square.

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan penned: "Imagine if the person who got shot is Sharon in a surprise twist. Remember we saw her in Zoe's Promo video - why would she appear unless something significant happens? and imagine if Zoe was the one to save Sharon's life after all the Dirty Den stuff."

"They would never kill off Sharon but this could be a way for Zoe and Sharon to further build a truce after all the Den stuff."

Another penned: "It would be a great way for Sharon to come back to be fair, be much better then the last time she returned with Keanu being undiscovered and would cement this week being legendary."

"How come Sharon is standing next to Patrick on Zoe’s arrival?" questioned another.

However, others believe either Kat, Zoe or Mo who got shot after the huge bust up between Kat and Zoe. Many believe Kat is the one who got shot - meaning Zoe will stick around.

"So you’re telling me we’re not gonna know who was shot… UNTIL THURSDAY?! I’ve got to admit I think it’s Kat and that’s gonna be the reason Zoe sticks around," penned one, while another said: "It was defo Kat who got shot, Zoe getting shot doesn’t make any sense."

EastEnders aren't giving anything away, so fans will have to wait until later this week to see who got shot, and if they survive...

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.