TALKING POINTS | Zoe Slater, Kim Woodburn, Ian Fletcher and The Trip
- Elliot Gonzalez
- Jun 22
- 5 min read
Here's what's got me talking this week...
It's that time of the week again when I take a look back at the last 7 days to see what has got me talking the most.
From Zoe Slater's EastEnders return to Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan returning for The Trip and more, here are my 4 telly talking points of the week...
1
ZOE SLATER'S
surprise return to EastEnders
After Chris Clenshaw's exemplary tenure as the man in charge of EastEnders came to an end, Monday's episode welcomed in a new era as Ben Wadey became the soap's new executive producer, with an episode so highly-anticipated, that the usual 6am drop on BBC iPlayer didn't happen, instead meaning fans had to wait until 7.30pm to watch all together. Imagine that?!
With rumours circulating as to the reasons why, a familiar face returning was almost certainly on the cards. But who? The internet couldn't quite agree. Some thought it would be Max Branning, with or without Tanya. Whilst others, thought the time was right for Zoe Slater's return to Walford after 20 years away. And it's those people who ended up being correct.
Monday's episode saw Jean phone Stacey, hoping that Lynne was looking after her properly, and when we saw Stacey clearing up after someone in a small flat, we knew that whoever was returning was linked to the Slaters. And despite many wanting it to be Zoe, all signs seemed to be pointing towards Hayley.
But then came an argument between Kat and Tommy in which she tells him, "I'm your mother!", a clever nod to THAT iconic moment where Zoe discovered that Kat was in fact her mother and not her sister. Almost certainly sealing Zoe's return. And lo and behold, as we cut back to the flat, we see Alfie come face-to-face with Zoe once again.
After discovering that Alfie wasn't where he said he was, Kat tracks him down to Stacey's flat, and as they talk about their shared concerns for Tommy, Zoe listens from behind the bedroom door, surprised to hear Kat being all maternal. And when Kat stormed into the bedroom, certain that someone was hiding in there, it looked as though she was going to come face-to-face with Zoe, but it wasn't to be, as she had managed to escape out of the window.
Whilst an on-screen reunion between Kat and Zoe would have been incredible, knowing that Zoe will be back permanently later this year, meant that after waiting 20 years for it to happen, what's a few months?
And there are a lot of answers we need, too. Before leaving for Barcelona, Zoe explained to Stacey that it was a mistake to get back in touch, urging her not to look for. Admitting that she had "done something so bad, you'd never forgive me" and that Kat would hate her "just like she used to."
But what could Zoe have done? And with Alfie secretly Barcelona-bound, will he manage to track her down?
There are many theories online, mainly that she could be Joel's mum, after we learnt that he was abandoned by his mother when he was younger. Whatever the truth is, and however Kat and Zoe meet again, it'll almost certainly be worth the wait.
2
KIM WOODBURN
passing away at the age of 83
On Tuesday morning, the sad news broke that Kim Woodburn, who rose to fame on Channel 4's hit show How Clean Is Your House?, had passed away at the age of 83.
When How Clean Is Your House? ended in 2009, Kim Woodburn went on to create some of television's most memorable moments, not least of all from her time as a Celebrity Big Brother housemate in 2017. Especially her argument with Jamie O'Hara in which she famously calls him an adulterer.
A statement made by her manager this week said, "It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved Kim Woodburn passed away yesterday following a short illness. Kim was an incredibly kind, caring, charismatic and strong person."
"Her husband, Peter, is heartbroken at the loss of his soulmate. We are so proud of the amazing things Kim achieved in her life and career. We kindly ask that Kim's husband and close friends are given the time and privacy they need to grieve. We will not be releasing any further details."
3
IAN FLETCHER
returning in W1A & Twenty Twelve sequel Twenty Twenty Six
Earlier this week, the BBC rather excitedly announced that its former Head of Values, Ian Fletcher, had been appointed to an exciting new role as Director of Integrity for an upcoming global football tournament.
Having previously held a leadership role on the London Games of Twenty Twelve and a spell in W1A as the Head of Values at the BBC, Ian Fletcher, played by Hugh Bonneville, is now bound for the greatest stage in world football. And we'll follow his journey in a new six-part comedy for BBC One, apltly titled Twenty Twenty Six.
Next year’s tournament will be the biggest ever. Hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico with 48 countries taking part and 16 venues thousands of miles apart across the whole of North America; what could possibly go wrong? Ian Fletcher is about to find out, as he joins the Twenty Twenty Six Oversight Team in Miami as its Director of Integrity.
Oh his new appointment, Ian Fletcher said "I’m thrilled at the prospect of joining the Oversight Team in Miami for this unique event. And in terms of the Integrity role, to borrow a soccer analogy, this is a rare opportunity to set out your own goals and then score them on the global stage."
Hugh Bonneville will reprise his role as Ian Fletcher and joining him in the cast are Nick Blood, Chelsey Crisp, Paulo Costanzo, Stephen Kunken, Jimena Larraguivel, Alexis Michalik and Belinda Stewart-Wilson.
4
ROB BRYDON & STEVE COOGAN
reuniting for The Trip to the Northern Lights
More than five years since their Grecian escapades, Sky this week confirmed that Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon will reunite for The Trip to the Northern Lights, the eagerly awaited fifth instalment of their comedy series which began on the BBC before moving to Sky in 2017.
The new six-part series will see the pair trade Mediterranean sunshine for the rugged beauty of Northern Europe. What follows is a gloriously daft and delicious journey, this time through Scandinavia, in search of fine food, wry conversation and a glimpse of the elusive Northern Lights.
Rob, 60, and Steve, still very much 59, set off to explore northern Europe’s wildest reaches, from sculptural Swedish hotels to remote Norwegian fishing huts, delivering their trademark blend of wit, rivalry and playful introspection.
Along the way, they reflect on ageing, ambition, family and fame, mostly through the lens they know best: themselves, from podcasting spats and BAFTA one-upmanship to debates on Bond, Bergman and whether they’ll ever retire.
Equal parts sitcom, travelogue and midlife reckoning, The Trip to the Northern Lights promises to be Coogan and Brydon at their bickering, brilliant best and will once again be directed by renowned British director Michael Winterbottom.
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