EastEnders airs last-minute change for Mark Fowler in early iPlayer release

EastEnders spoilers follow for Thursday’s episode (24 September), which is available to watch now on streaming service BBC iPlayer and hasn’t yet aired on TV.

EastEnders has aired a last-minute change for Mark Fowler, as he decides his long-term future in Walford. This week, Mark made a surprise return to the Square – after leaving on Lauren Beale’s orders – but he explained to his family that he was only here to say goodbye before going back to Florida.

But there was still chemistry between Mark and Lauren, who was furious that her husband Peter took his mum Cindy’s side over hers when a huge row broke out at a party at The Albert.

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Mark followed Lauren and the pair finally gave into passion, sleeping together in the office in the Boxing Den on the assurance that Mark was leaving for good in the morning.

In today’s episode, things were still tense in No.25. Lauren explained to Peter that she felt suffocated in her life and in her family, so he promised that he would try to be more spontaneous.

Mark asked Lauren to meet him at the gym and told her that he didn’t have to leave and would stay for her. But this frustrated Lauren, as she only slept with him because she thought it was a one-off.

After being rejected, Mark prepared to leave Walford, saying goodbye to Vicki before going back to the gym one last time. At that moment, Peter gave Lauren a bunch of flowers in an attempt to be more spontaneous – and Lauren realised that she couldn’t carry on like this.

Lauren headed to the gym and told Mark that she had changed her mind, and she didn’t want him to go. They decided to continue their affair, with Lauren making clear that she wouldn’t leave her family.

Related: EastEnders reveals when Ian Beale returns to Walford in new advanced spoilers

Mark later went to the pub and told delighted Vicki and Sharon that he would be sticking around, as the Square is where he belongs.

Seconds later, Lauren arrived at The Vic, and Peter encouraged Cindy to apologise to his wife for her actions at the party the day before.

As Peter offered to buy Mark a drink, with Lauren stood in between the two men, Mark cheekily remarked, "I’ll have what he’s having". How long will Mark and Lauren’s sordid affair continue?

EastEnders airs on Mondays - Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.

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