February saw Stacey Branning (Lacey Turner) return with her daughter Lily (Aine Garvey) and also her new boyfriend, Luke Riley (Matt Willis), followed by Tosh Mackintosh (Rebecca Scroggs).
However, Tamwar's sister Shabnam (Rakhee Thakrar), leaks the news causing the market traders to rally together, led by Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) and Linda Carter (Kellie Bright).
[12] On 19 February 2015, it was revealed that West had already filmed his final scenes, and he departed in the episode broadcast on 10 April 2015 when his character dies following his battle with terminal prostate cancer.
However, he has no idea of Stacey's past life, including the fact she was responsible for the murder of Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb), and believes she is called Jenny Smith.
"[18] Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins added: "I've always loved Matt and it will be a real treat for viewers to watch him and Lacey together on screen as part of her return to the Square.
She later talks to Aleks Shirovs (Kristian Kiehling) in The Vic, and they come to a decision that Tosh will move in with him and fellow flatmate Jake Stone (Jamie Lomas), which delights Tina.
Lee, along with his great aunt Tina Carter (Luisa Bradshaw-White) and her girlfriend Tosh Mackintosh (Rebecca Scroggs), confront Billy, but he angrily tells them to leave.
In his absence, Linda's alcoholism continues to worsen, brought on by the guilt of killing Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) in self-defence and the threats made against her by his half sister, Bernadette (Clair Norris).
When the Spring Lane traders arrive, Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) asks Donna to wear a black armband as a mark of respect for Lucy Beale (Hetti Bywater), who has recently been killed.
She confesses to Fatboy privately that she goes to the hospital regularly for blood tests and painkiller injections in hopes of prolonging the energy she has before undergoing joint replacement, and that she did not want Pam to worry about her.
When it becomes clear this is only down to Martin trying to annoy his estranged wife Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy), Fatboy punches him, and an upset Donna leaves the party.
The next morning, they enjoy the gossip around them, but Fatboy feels that it is making their friendship awkward, and later tells Donna this, but she does not take it well and goes to Claudette's house in tears, saying that she wants a long-term relationship with someone who will love her for who she is.
In December 2016, Shrimpy attends a party for the market traders, where Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons) dances with him but he rejects her because of the state she is in, making her realise she needs help.
Pam befriends Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) and helps her organise a naked charity calendar, posing nude herself with Mo Harris (Laila Morse) for the month of April.
At a farewell party for the Cokers in The Queen Vic, Pam confronts Babe—who has recently returned the money she took from them—and tells her that she is a sad, pathetic old woman who she feels sorry for and that she will never have what she and Les have.
Emma first appears with her colleague DS Cameron Bryant (Glen Wallace), to inform Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) that his daughter Lucy has been found dead on Walford Common.
Cameron searches Phil Mitchell's (Steve McFadden) house in connection with a robbery committed by Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick), the night Lucy was killed.
[69] Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins expressed his excitement about having another Irish character on the show and commented "I know that viewers are going to both love and be intrigued by Yvonne Cotton.
"[71] Yvonne first appears when her former mother-in-law, Dot, and her friend Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) text her from her son, Charlie's, mobile phone and they agree to meet at the local launderette.
When Nick returns to Walford and demands money, so that he can leave the country, Yvonne applies for a temporary cleaning job and moves in with Dot and Charlie, to help raise the cash.
Johnny Carter (Sam Strike) meets Gianluca outside a gay pub in Soho where they start chatting and agree to attend Pride London together the next day.
Carol admits she is scared, so Chris shows her an operation scar and explains he spent 10 weeks in hospital once following a motorbike accident, and he encourages her to pray.
[88] Sarah Deen from the Metro said of the twins' arrival: "The lovely scene with Kat and Alfie cuddling their healthy newborn sons is probably the most positive thing EastEnders viewers have seen in months.
Inside Soap speculated that Tom could become a full-time character as he had been given a name, a friend in Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) and less clothes to wear, referring to his scenes dressed as a gladiator.
[94] In April, Tom takes part in the Walford half marathon dressed as a gladiator, running with nurse Sonia and her girlfriend Tina Carter (Luisa Bradshaw-White).
[108][109][110] Sylvie returned for a single episode on 1 January 2016 for Mick's wedding to Linda Carter (Kellie Bright),[111][112] before reappearing as a regular from 14 June 2016 until the character's death on 30 March 2017.
In December 2014, Shirley and Mick visit their aunt, Sylvie's sister, Babe Smith (Annette Badland), and discover that she has been living with her, since her diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, five years previously.
At the end of the meal, Sylvie tells Mick that she wants to spend Christmas with him and his family and Babe brings her to their public house, The Queen Victoria, the following day, upsetting Stan.
In April 2015, Babe takes Sylvie to see Stan, who is terminally ill with prostate cancer, in a hospice, in the hope of causing trouble between him and his new fiancée, Cora Cross (Ann Mitchell).
[121] The day before Sylvie is due to be assessed by social services, Tina, Johnny Carter (Ted Reilly) and Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) arrange a 1960s-themed party for her in The Queen Vic.