EastEnders: Will Gray Atkins finally come face to face with son Jordan?

Gray Atkins may be behind bars, but his latest actions prove he still believes he can control the lives of those he left behind. As his secret partnership with Sheila gathers pace, one question now hangs over the storyline more than any other. Will Gray finally come face to face with his young son Jordan?

Nothing beyond the upcoming episodes has been confirmed by the BBC, but the latest developments have sparked plenty of discussion. Gray appears determined to use Sheila as his way back into Jordan's life, leaving Chelsea completely unaware that the woman she trusts is secretly helping one of Walford's most dangerous criminals.

The storyline has all the ingredients for a dramatic showdown, but there are several ways it could play out.

Gray has found the perfect way in

Rather than contacting Chelsea himself, Gray has relied on someone she would never expect to betray her. Sheila has gradually earned Chelsea's trust, convincing her that she simply wants to be a loving great grandmother to Jordan.

That trust allows Sheila to spend more time with the youngster while Chelsea visits Denise in hospital. According to the storyline preview, Sheila even takes Jordan out alone before asking him not to tell anyone where they have been.

It is a chilling moment because it suggests Gray's plan is already moving forward. Jordan is far too young to understand what is really happening, making him vulnerable to the adults around him.

From Gray's perspective, Sheila has become the ideal person to carry out his wishes while he remains behind bars.

Is a prison visit the next stage?

One possibility is that Gray hopes Sheila will eventually bring Jordan to visit him in prison.

The preview makes it clear that Gray is desperate to see his son in person rather than relying on photographs or updates from Sheila. With Jordan already becoming more familiar with his great grandmother, Gray may believe the next step is within reach.

Whether such a visit could happen without Chelsea's knowledge remains uncertain. Any prison visit involving a child would raise obvious questions, and Chelsea would almost certainly have to give permission.

That could mean Gray's plan is far more ambitious than it first appears, with Sheila attempting to manipulate events until Chelsea unknowingly agrees to something that benefits Gray.

Chelsea may stop the plan before it is too late

The storyline also hints that Chelsea's instincts begin to kick in.

As Gray and Sheila push ahead with their scheme, Chelsea starts to become suspicious. The preview suggests that just as Sheila prepares for the next stage of the plan, there is an unexpected knock at her door.

That moment could prove crucial. If Chelsea discovers the truth before Jordan ever meets Gray, Sheila's deception would come crashing down in spectacular fashion.

It would also leave Chelsea dealing with the devastating realisation that she placed her trust in someone who had been secretly working against her all along.

Could Gray actually get what he wants?

Soap villains rarely give up after one failed attempt, and Gray has shown time and again that he is patient when pursuing his goals.

It is entirely possible that he succeeds in getting closer to Jordan before the truth comes out. Even a brief meeting would have huge emotional consequences for Chelsea and the rest of her family, while also creating fresh drama long after the prison storyline itself has ended.

At the same time, EastEnders has repeatedly shown that Gray's manipulation eventually catches up with him. His latest scheme already appears to be unravelling as Chelsea begins asking questions, suggesting he may once again be outsmarted before achieving his objective.

For now, viewers only know that Gray is pulling the strings from prison, Sheila is carrying out his instructions, and Jordan has become the centre of a disturbing plot. Whether father and son actually come face to face remains unknown, but the storyline is clearly building towards a dramatic confrontation that could have lasting consequences for everyone involved.

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

For all the latest EastEnders spoilers, news and gossip, check out the EastEnders Hub on SoaplandTV.co.uk.