EastEnders airs blackmail nightmare for Mark Fowler as Lauren Beale affair uncovered in early BBC iPlayer release

It was only a matter of time before someone caught Mark Fowler (Stephen Aaron-Sipple) and Lauren Beale (Jacqueline Jossa) together in EastEnders.

The pair came dangerously close to having an affair for months, though upon his return to Walford following a prolonged absence, were unable to deny their attraction to one another anymore.

Lauren was left guilt-ridden, particularly with husband Peter's (Thomas Law) attempts to breathe new life into their relationship, though eventually agreed that they could continue on the proviso that it was low key.

In today's episode, with Lauren returning from a week with mum Tanya Cross (Jo Joyner), she headed for lunch with the Beale clan and was stunned to see Mark arrive. Despite Peter being sat just inches away, he squeezed her leg under the table and then followed her into the kitchen.

Looming over her shoulder while she washed up, he suggested that they book a hotel room and spend a proper night together.

Unfortunately for Lauren, Peter had other plans. While she dressed up for her night of passion, he announced that Vinny Panesar (Shiv Jalota) and Penny Branning (Kitty Castledine) had invited them on a night out. While sitting in The Vic, she text Mark and broke the bad news.

He was devastated, having just got off the phone to the hotel to make special arrangements. It even piqued his uncle Phil Mitchell's (Steve McFadden) interest, though in order to keep the secret, Mark played the encounter down.

Lauren was then struck with another idea. She knew that the former Slater residence, No. 31, was empty - and grabbed the keys from landlord Vinny's pocket.

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They then snuck off to the vacant property and jumped into Jean Slater's (Gillian Wright) bed. And they said romance was dead!

After sleeping together, the pair shot upwards by the sound of the front door closing. Mark peaked around the door but couldn't see who it was, or whether they'd spotted him with Lauren.

She then quickly got dressed and quizzed Vinny about who might've been at the house. He said that it was likely to be a handyman, and then questioned where the key that was in his pocket might've got to.

Despite Lauren's relief, something far more concerning was unfolding at Harry's Barn. New co-owner Ned Hawkins (Jamie Bamber) strolled over to Mark, asking for him to come into the office for a chat about a proposal.

Mark was cautious of Ned's friendliness, and declined the offer. It was only at this point did it become clear that he was the one who had spotted Mark with Lauren, and if he didn't comply with his demands, the affair could be exposed.

What will Ned want?

Read more:

• EastEnders legend Jo Joyner returns to Walford set for Branning 'family reunion' - 8 years after last Tanya appearance
• EastEnders star teases "fire and carnage" when Penny Branning's baby paternity secret is revealed
• EastEnders favourite Balvinder Sopal teases Ash return is "grenade" to the Panesar family unit this autumn
• EastEnders announces hard-hitting Amy Mitchell storyline as BBC soap works with charities

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Authors

Michael Adams is the Soaps Editor at Radio Times, covering all of the hot gossip and spoilers from Weatherfield to Walford, Emmerdale to Hollyoaks and everywhere in-between. He joined the team from Metro, where he spent two years as a Soaps Reporter and previously worked on the sets of both Coronation Street and Emmerdale.