EastEnders star Michelle Ryan breaks silence after shocking axing of Zoe Slater

| Freelance Soaps Reporter Published August 3, 2026 9:04am Updated August 3, 2026 9:06am Michelle isn’t slowing down in the wake of her leaving EastEnders (Picture: BBC/Jack Barns/Kieron McCarron) Nobody ever truly believed that they’d see Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) back in EastEnders. Despite being an integral part of some of the BBC soap’s biggest moments – ‘you ain’t my muvvah!’ and the second murder of Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) – it seemed as though we’d never see Kat Moon’s (Jessie Wallace) daughter again… …and then it happened. Zoe returned, a mere shell of her former self, having endured seemingly endless pain and misery in the 20 years she was off-screen, when she was relentlessly hunted down by her mum’s husband Alfie Moon (Shane Richie), who sought to reunite mother and daughter. After a few near-misses, Zoe arrived back on the Square, straight into the path of an oncoming bullet. After months of ‘bombshells’, a stalking ordeal, a peculiar relationship with a cat, being locked up for a murder she didn’t commit and long-lost child drama, it was announced that Zoe would be leaving Walford almost as quickly as she returned – this time in a box. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. With Michelle’s exit now confirmed, she took to Instagram to preview a new project that she’s working on, while promising to reply to those she may have missed while doing so. ‘Working on my next project this summer and looking forward to sharing more soon,’ she began the caption of her post. ‘It’s been a busy stretch, so if you’ve written and are still waiting on a reply — they’re on the way.’ The comment section quickly blew up. Leaving so soon? (Picture: BBC) In a deeply impassioned response, @nowland_ben wrote: ‘It’s a bittersweet decision, and I’m slightly gutted at the decision. ‘I remember being 7 years old when you originally left, and I remember forever year on year awaiting on the Zoe Slater return announcement, so to wait 20 years to finally have you back to now read that announcement of THE Zoe Slater is potentially being killed off is so sad. ‘Anyways for what it’s worth I myself appreciated the time we’ve had to see Zoe evolve the past year and I’m looking forward to seeing your future projects.’ How do you feel about Zoe's return? All the latest soaps spoilers and gossip, in your inbox every morning. @indiestar1991 also wrote a detailed response: ‘Really hoping the rumours that Zoë being killed off aren’t true, as you are and always will be a massive part of the show’s history and one of my first memories of becoming an EastEnders fan twenty five years ago. ‘I hope that yourself and Jessie have lots more scenes together before you leave, as I’ve always loved the chemistry you guys have on screen. ‘I just hope you know how much the fans love Zoë including myself and whatever criticisms we’ve had have never been aimed at yourself as a person, and more to do with how you’ve been written since you came back last year as I think it was a missed opportunity for the show not to explore Zoë finding out she had a twin brother when it was such a massive storyline eleven years ago.’ Fans poured their hearts out in Michelle’s comment section (Picture: BBC/Jack Barns/Kieron McCarron) @jo_mcdonnell added: ‘Really wish that Zoe’s Eastenders return had worked out differently. Zoe is an iconic character and deserves so much better. Wishing you much luck and success with your new project, looking forward to seeing what comes next for you.’ While we don’t know exactly when Zoe will be leaving Walford, with Michelle having already moved on to a new project, the chances are that it will be soon. Deals of the Day Wuka launches the UK’s first period-proof swimwear for heavy flows Bridgerton fans are rushing to buy these new Netflix-inspired perfumes now £12 off The affordable summer wardrobe update you'll wear from rooftop drinks to beach holidays The £7.99 lip balm beauty fans love for glossy, hydrated lips just dropped four new shades This Keskine hydrogel mask could fix your summer skin But where will she turn up next? Arrow MORE: All EastEnders cast returns, exits and new arrivals coming up in 2026 Arrow MORE: EastEnders fans ‘solve’ massive twist to Zoe’s apparent death Arrow MORE: All EastEnders cast returns, exits and new arrivals coming up in 2026 The Soaps Newsletter – Daily All the latest soaps spoilers and gossip, in your inbox every morning.