EastEnders' Sam in showdown with Sharon as she reveals real reason for return

EastEnders' Sam Mitchell immediately got on the wrong side of Walford residents on Tuesday, as she made her big return to the BBC soap.

But the character soon revealed her reasons for being back, and claimed it was because her nephew Ben Mitchell needed help.

This was all a lie though, and it soon emerged Sam was back on Phil's orders, to take care of business.

Facing a long stretch behind bars and not feeling as though fragile son Ben was up to the challenge where the business is concerned, he called his sister Sam back into the fold to help out.

EastEnders' Sam Mitchell made her return to Walford on Tuesday night, leading to catty scenes with rival Sharon Watts (BBC)

Ben has been through turmoil recently after a hate crime attack on him and his husband Callum Highway, and he's visibly struggling in the fallout.

Phil is clearly more worried about his businesses though, and not sure who he can trust to get things right he's tasked Sam with taking over it would appear.

She revealed this to Sharon on Tuesday night, as she explained the real reason she was back after six years.

EastEnders' Sam Mitchell immediately got on the wrong side of Walford residents on Tuesday (BBC)

After trying to convince Ben to go to Spain for six months, claiming she and Phil were trying to look out for him, she was furious when he rejected the idea.

As Sharon asked about what she was up to, Sam revealed she had been asked to meet someone named Jonah - who happens to be one of Phil’s most trusted businessmen.

Sharon was stunned, knowing full well who Jonah was and what he was capable of, before revealing it was Ben who dealt with him and no one else.

But Sam smugly revealed Phil had asked her to take over, and had planned a meeting for the following day.

She told Sharon: "I'm going nowhere love, so you better start playing nice. I know a b***h with a when I see one."

Sharon was stunned, knowing full well who Jonah was and what he was capable of (BBC)

After chucking a glass of wine in her face, Sharon offered a warning of her own and told her: "I don’t play so nice these days. Cross me and I'll put you down."

Having called Jonah a "serious player" she was stunned that Phil would trust Sam to deal with him, and this seemed to unnerve her a little bit.

So is there more to Sam's return, and will she be up for the job at Phil's request?

Got any theories or thoughts on the storyline? Let us know in the comments section below.

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One.