MARTIN Fowler returned to Walford after weeks away in Australia with Sharon Watts to see Michelle Fowler.
The EastEnders market trader played by James Bye gets close to another Square resident next week and the pair go out on a date.
Martin Fowler was once hoping to rekindle his romance with Stacey Slater but when he caught her with Jack Branning, he knew the ship had probably sailed.
Earlier this year, the fan favourite left the BBC One soap alongside Sharon to pay Michelle Fowler a visit and he uses his comeback as the opportunity to start afresh with a new surprise love interest.
But how will Stacey react if she was to find out Martin is giving Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan Levy) a chance?
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Coming up next week, Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James) skips school and conjures up a plan to explain her absence.
Meanwhile, Priya’s flirty exchange with Martin is interrupted when she receives a text informing her of Avani’s truancy.
The pair head off in search of the teen before they find her in the playground.
Avani is then amused when her father Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) is jealous at Martin’s presence and later tells her brother Nugget (Juhaim Rasul Choudhury) her plans.
In a shock twist, Avani admits she is determined to get her parents, Priya and Ravi, back together.
What could it mean for Martin and Priya's budding connection?
While this remains to be seen, Priya later asks Martin for a date, but Avani has other ideas and attempts to play matchmaker.
The teen makes out to Ravi that Priya is ill while Martin gets ready to grab the latter for their romantic get-together.
Both men later arrive at No.41 at the same time, but Martin gets the wrong idea and leaves as Priya is angered by her daughter’s antics.
Will Avani make it up to her mother?
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Could Priya and Martin's romance end before it even gets started?
Will Ravi try to win Priya over as he realises she could be interested in another man?
Ravi and Priya have been trying to co-parent their two children together, although tensions have appeared between them in recent months as Avani's behaviour is often a cause for concern.
Will they ever be on good terms?
EastEnders airs from Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.
