EastEnders has aired worrying scenes for one Walford resident as another is predicted to be returning after being killed off-screen
Times are tough for Howie Danes, who’s seen his hours reduced at the Post Office, leaving his struggling for cash. In Thursday’s episode of the BBC soap (July 31), he encountered several hurdles, leading fans to speculate about his potential departure and relationship breakdown.
Firstly, Howie attended an interview with Nicola Mitchell for a bouncer role at Harry’s Barn, only to be dismissed with laughter. Nicola informed Howie that he lacked the physical qualities she was seeking, leaving him disheartened.
Adding to Howie’s woes, he later overheard his partner Kim expressing dissatisfaction about their relationship to her sister, leaving him wondering about his future.
“I love him, of course I do,” Kim started. “It’s just sometimes I’d like to feel like I’ve got somebody that I can fall back on, you know? I mean, even Patrick is paying for Yolande’s Bridezilla act,” she continued, oblivious to Howie listening in from outside the door.
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She then compared him to her ex Vincent, lamenting: “It’s just sometimes I miss how it was with Vincent… the fancy dinners, him telling me, ‘yeah take my credit card babe!'”, reports the Mirror.
Later in the episode, a disappointed Howie was heard offering to place bets on horses for Patrick, after being banned by his fiancée Yolande. Viewers are now convinced that Howie’s tough time is paving the way for his exit from the show.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one viewer pondered: “Is this leading to a Howie exit?” while another commented: “Any writer with a brain should be able to see that axing Howie and putting Kim and Junior together is the move. She’s describing Vincent but Junior is very similar.”
Some fans expressed concern over a potential split between Kim and Howie, while others speculated about Vincent’s miraculous ‘return from the dead’. After all, Vincent was shot by Aidan Maguire’s allies in 2018, with his demise being confirmed three years on.
One person wrote on X: “So great to have Howie back getting more screen time although after tonight’s episode I get the feeling that a breakup might be on the cards for Kim and Howie which is a shame because I really like them together as a couple. Howie deserved more screen time.”
Another ventured a guess: “Howie is going to bet all of his savings on the horse and then win and then something happens so he has to complete a dodgy job and the person he’s working for is Vincent.”
“The Vincent mention in tonight’s EastEnders,” posted another enthusiast. “Can we bring him back from the dead please thank you!” she continued, unaware Howie was standing right outside the door.”
It wouldn’t be unprecedented for EastEnders to resurrect characters previously thought deceased. Moreover, earlier this year, Tameka Empson hinted at a comeback for Richard Blackwood, who portrays Vincent, during a conversation with the Mirror.
When questioned about Vincent and the possibility of his comeback, she remarked: “Well where is he? And if he turns up he’s got to turn up with something in his hands, cos it’s been a long while now.
“We’ve cared for the children, out of house and everything. Watch this space people.”
The future of Howie and Kim’s relationship hangs in the balance – and the question remains, will Vincent ever make a reappearance?
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One and iPlayer
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