EastEnders fans were left open-mouthed during the New Year's Day visit to Walford in which they discovered Lily Slater was pregnant at 12. The daughter of Stacey Slater had been rushed to hospital after collapsing during a New Year's Eve party at her family home.
Stacey's mum, Jean, also collapsed as did Eve Unwin and it was later confirmed that their sudden ill health was caused by a carbon monoxide leak at home and subsequently, the whole family had to go to hospital to be checked out.
However, Stacey wasn't prepared to discover that tests concluded that her daughter was pregnant. During Monday night's trip to the square, viewers of the BBC One soap saw an emotional Stacey being questioned by a social worker and a detective about her daughter's pregnancy as they tried to establish if she was safe to return home.
A shell-shocked Stacey hasn't told her family about Lily's news and has been avoiding contact with ex, Martin Fowler. Meanwhile, back in Walford, viewers saw Freddie Slater appear concerned for his family after only uniting with them a few months ago.
Freddie and Bobby Beale were also seen listening to a conversation between Martin and Rocky as he asked about him about Lily, who he sees as his own daughter. But Martin admitted: “Well to be honest with you, I don’t know. She's responding to the treatment and that but Stacey’s just told me to stay with the kids and not to bother going in. For some reason, they won’t let her go."
It was then that Freddie and Bobby exchanged a suspicious look before Bobby suggested to Freddie, who works with him at the family fish and chip shop: "Look, I know bank holidays are usually really busy but if you need to, just spend today with your family." But Freddie brushed off his pal's kind gesture.
"Nah, I'm okay, it’s sweet. We've got fish to fry anyway," before walking out of the cafe and heading to work. Later, the pair were seen at work but Freddie appeared more concerned with what was going on with his new-found family. Bobby again told him to finish up his shift early, to which this time Freddie obliged.
Later, a frustrated Martin was seen back in the cafe where he saw Jean and Harvey. Still none the wiser about Lily, Kathy suggested he just got to the hospital anyway, saying if it's a wasted trip at least he has put his mind at rest. But it appears EastEnders fans were distracted as they tried to figure out the father of Lily's baby.
And figures were soon pointed at newcomer Freddie, played by Bobby Brazier, following his 'look' at Bobby in the cafe earlier in the episode. @Jaimi_Tyrrell tweeted: "Freddie and lily....it was a thing! It's written all over his face! #eastenders." @lqvingsuki commented: "So bobby and freddie shared a concerned look and that means to some they’re the culprits to what’s happened to lily?? rocky looked concerned too ?? #Eastenders."
@BovaryCee said: "Why is Freddie looking that way as Martin is talking about Lily? Ugh… Please don’t let it be Freddie. #LilySlater #EastEnders." @mishybabez_ added: "People are predicting Freddie is the father please god no! I feel sick #EastEnders."
Others, however, are outraged by the outlandish suggestion with Ricky Jr also among the predicted fathers. @ellutd_ said: "Everyone suggesting that Freddie Slater got Lily pregnant, you do know that EastEnders would have to mention the details of the storyline prior to it airing because of how sensitive it is! So, that rules Freddie out. #EastEnders."
@_amyann15 tweeted: "It’s giving me the ick seeing so many people suggesting Freddie is the father of Lily’s baby, like first off isn’t he like 18/19? Secondly they’re family? I doubt EE are gonna go down that route especially when they’ve shown Ricky and Lily being close #EastEnders."
@aaronsgraham commented: "The idea that Freddie is the father of Lily’s baby because he is “too nice” is ridiculous. Y’all just throwing random names out there at this point. #EastEnders." @EdgeOTI added: "STOP SAYING FREDDIE SLATER IS THE FATHER OF LILY'S BABY. I'M NOT GOING TO HEAR ANY MORE SLANDER OF LITTLE MO'S BOY. #Eastenders."
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