In a stunning twist that has rocked Albert Square, Chrissie Watts has been dramatically unveiled as the secret stalker terrorising Zoe Slater in EastEnders. The former Queen Vic landlady, played by Tracy-Ann Oberman, made a shocking return in tense scenes, confirming she is the mastermind behind months of torment, vowing to give Zoe a Christmas she will never forget.
A Vengeful Return to Walford
The revelation, which aired on December 24, 2025, ends intense speculation about who has been targeting Zoe. For months, the character has endured a series of disturbing incidents orchestrated by a mysterious nemesis seeking revenge. While many residents fell under suspicion, Zoe never considered Chrissie, who served 20 years in prison for the murder of Den Watts, could be the culprit.
Long-time fans will remember the complex history. Zoe long believed she was responsible for Den's death in 2005, when in reality it was Chrissie who delivered the fatal blow. While both Zoe and Sam Mitchell suffered in the aftermath, Chrissie paid the highest price with her lengthy prison sentence.
The Motivation Behind the Stalking
Actress Tracy-Ann Oberman explained her character's deep-seated motivations. "Chrissie has always felt it's very unfair she spent 20 years in prison," she stated, highlighting her character's inability to move on from the trauma of 'Dirty Den' and life in Walford.
Oberman elaborated that Chrissie seized the opportunity to target Zoe, whom she views as "an irritating little girl." The actress revealed a key factor in the plot: Chrissie has enlisted the help of Jasmine, played by Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness, who is Zoe's secret daughter. "What started off as a game for Chrissie, has ended up becoming a little bit of an obsession," Oberman said, noting that finding Jasmine, who was also hurt by Zoe, was an opportunity too good to miss.
She added that Chrissie possesses a strong, if twisted, sense of justice, believing Zoe never truly paid for her part in Den's murder and the destruction of the Watts family. Furthermore, Oberman suggested Chrissie has genuine affection for Jasmine, seeing her as the daughter she never had, and wants to empower her to also seek revenge on the mother who abandoned her.
An Explosive Festive Reunion
This unexpected comeback sets the stage for a must-see Christmas in Walford. The stint marks the first on-screen reunion in over two decades between Chrissie, Zoe (Michelle Ryan), and Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf), despite all three actresses having reprised their roles separately in recent years.
Oberman expressed her delight at returning, stating she "couldn't say no" when show boss Ben Wadey asked her to "pop back for Christmas." "Chrissie is in my DNA," she declared, praising the show's team for their respectful handling of legacy characters and their detailed discussions about Chrissie's motivations for returning.
The actress also shared the joy of working with her former co-stars again. "Being back in The Queen Vic with Michelle and Kim was really emotional," she exclaimed, describing hugs and conversations about how their lives had evolved over the past 20 years.
With Chrissie Watts back and hell-bent on revenge, EastEnders promises the kind of high-stakes, dramatic Christmas that has become its trademark. Viewers can expect the fallout from this revelation to dominate the festive period in Albert Square.
