Major EastEnders character stages return – and they’re dying

One of EastEnders’ most evil villains ever stages a return next week as George Knight’s (Colin Salmon) adopted father Eddie Knight (Christopher Fairbank) announces he’s dying.

The character was first introduced in 2024 along with his wife Gloria (Elizabeth Counsell), as it was revealed they had adopted George illegally through a process known as baby farming back in the 50s.

As George grappled with the truth and its impact on his identity, it soon became clear that Eddie was a nasty racist, with George opening up to his loved ones about how he had seen Eddie kill a Black man as a child.

The former Queen Vic landlord then heartbreakingly learned that the man was actually his birth father and testified against Eddie in court as he went on trial for racially motivated murder.

Eddie was eventually sent down with George disowning him, before Gloria died in hospital from a heart attack.

Nearly two years later, George has moved on with his life and recently welcomed his fourth child with new partner Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington).

But as the couple prepare to bring their newborn daughter Ivy home next week, their lives are turned upside down by a call from Eddie.

It all begins when Nicola rails at George for having his phone switched off, missing calls which she assumes are from the hospital about Ivy.

However, she’s shocked when Eddie is then revealed as the caller and heads to hospital to confront him, where he confirms he’s dying.

While she initially tries to keep Eddie from getting in contact with George, she’s soon rumbled when he finds a hospital parking ticket, and she’s forced to come clean.

As George and Eddie later come face-to-face again, George is shocked by his father’s fragility.

With George’s family worried about the impact seeing Eddie again will have on him, Nicola steps in and visits Eddie to warn him to stay away from them all.

But twisted Eddie soon spots an opportunity to worm his way back into George’s life, which could have huge ramifications for his relationship with Nicola…