EastEnders: What's coming up next week? 3 to 6 August

Secrets threaten to unravel, old faces return to Albert Square and Gray continues pulling strings from behind bars as another dramatic week unfolds. Here's everything that's coming up in EastEnders.

Peter's marriage is rocked after he makes a discovery on Lauren's phone that leaves him deeply suspicious. At the same time, Mark attempts to make Lauren jealous by flirting with one of Jack's police colleagues, only to stop when he notices Lauren looking at one of the stolen cars. The truth soon begins catching up with Lauren as she admits to Peter that she and Mark have been selling stolen cars before making the same confession to Max.

As Peter and Lauren's relationship comes under increasing strain, Penny encourages Lauren to be honest about how she really feels for Mark. After hearing the Beales' marriage is in trouble, Mark asks Lauren to meet him in the hope there could still be a future for them together. However, following another row with Max, Mark's guilt grows when Louie speaks out, and Lauren is left stunned when Peter reveals Mark has already confessed everything to him.

Elsewhere, Patrick returns home and quickly finds himself trying to keep the peace among those closest to him before sharing an emotional reunion with Denise. Max and Cindy also attempt to put recent disagreements behind them after falling out over their children, although family tensions continue simmering elsewhere across the Square.

Jack throws himself into the ongoing investigation by asking his police colleague Craig for a major favour. Craig soon becomes involved in the case as tensions rise between the teenagers' parents, who gather alongside Vicki and Ross to discuss recent events. Joel also surprises those around him by making an unexpected request.

Barney tells Zack that he saw Nugget behaving suspiciously on the night Joel was attacked, raising more questions about what really happened. Ross, meanwhile, discovers Kat and Alfie have been keeping information from him and reacts furiously to the revelation.

Gray's influence also continues to spread despite being behind bars. Sheila takes Jordan out before making him promise not to reveal anything, and she later visits Gray in prison to share what she knows. By the end of the week, Sheila secretly contacts Gray once again, suggesting his grip on events outside prison is far from over.

Chelsea begins growing suspicious after Jordan accidentally lets something slip, while the arrival of another local resident with fresh information only deepens her concerns. With Gray continuing to receive updates from Sheila, Chelsea may be about to uncover more than she expected.

Elsewhere, Eve becomes worried that Jean is falling behind with her rent payments. Jean later agrees to take on a cleaning job at Max's flat, hoping to ease some of the financial pressure she is facing.

From Peter's discovery and Lauren's confession to Patrick's return, Jack's investigation, Gray's latest manipulation and Chelsea's growing suspicions, there is no shortage of drama heading for Albert Square over the coming week.

EastEnders can be viewed on BBC One, while episodes are also available to stream and catch up on BBC iPlayer. Images: BBC, used for editorial purposes only.

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