EastEnders fans were left sickened on Monday evening as they watched the fallout from the bombshell revelation that Lily Slater is pregnant.
The BBC One soap began the shock storyline on New Year’s Day, kicking off 2023 with the news that 12-year-old Lily (Lillia Turner) is expecting a baby.
In scenes on Monday night, the teenager finally learnt of the pregnancy at the end of the episode, as mum Stacey broke down while she told her daughter.
The shocking news came after the family's disastrous New Year's Eve party, where various family members — including Lily, Jean and Eve — collapsed as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Stacey's initial decision after discovering her daughter's pregnancy was to hide the truth from Martin Fowler, who has been a surrogate father to Lily with biological dad Ryan Malloy away from Walford.
The episode began with Stacey talking to social services, as they explained the steps going forward, which will include an investigation into Lily’s home life on Albert Square.
Yet, elsewhere in Walford, EastEnders fans believed they might have spotted who the father of Lily’s baby could be after a telling reaction from one of her nearest and dearest.
In the cafe, Lily's second cousin Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier) and Bobby Beale ( Clay Milner Russell) were chatting when Lily came up – and fans spotted an odd look briefly come over Freddie.
As he continued to act concerned and overly emotional through the episode, some were horrified by the possibility he could prove to be the father of Lily’s child.
Taking to Twitter, one wrote: “Freddie and lily....it was a thing! It's written all over his face!”
Another added: “Why do I feel like Freddie has something to do with Lily being pregnant…” as a fellow fan fearfully penned: “People are predicting Freddie is the father please god no! I feel sick.”
Another added: “They're really really pushing the 'It's Freddie' vibe. Hope that's a red herring!”
“I have no idea what’s going on because I haven’t watched in months, but Freddie is acting so shifty around this Lily situation and I don’t like it one bit,” another fan tweeted.
Yet one fan suspected: “I feel like Stacey is going to confront Freddie about possibly being the one that got Lily pregnant but I really don’t think it’s him.”
Actress Lacey, who plays Stacey, has expressed her excitement for young co-star Lillia Turner to get her first major storyline since taking over the role of Lily in 2020.
“Lilia is such a great little actress – there's something about her that is so warm and so natural, and her instincts are just bang-on," Lacey said. “She's been so desperate for a storyline of her own for so many years, so to see her have one is lovely. To watch her absolutely nail it has just been brilliant.
“I've tried to stay out of it as much as I can because Lilia actually doesn't need any help, tips or guidance because she's just great. She's got something that is so natural that I don't want to take that away from her.“
