EastEnders set to kick off Kat Moon's return to Albert Square with a huge twist

Kat Moon just can't catch a break.

EastEnders fans were delighted to find out that Albert Square's leopard print fanatic, Kat Moon, would be returning to the long-running soap this year.

But it looks like her return is going to be a little rocky - and far from joyful.

The last time viewers saw Kat, she had fallen from a boat in the Ireland-based spin-off series Redwater and husband Alfie was fighting for his life in hospital.

And while we now know the Kat definitely didn't drown...it doesn't quite sound like her family know the same.

According to The Sun, Jessie Wallace's return to the soap gets off to an emotional (and awkward) start when her family and friends are given the news that she had passed away.

In fact, her grandmother - Big Mo, who is also returning to the Square - even sets up a wake for Kat at the Queen Vic.

A source told the publication:

“Kat’s return has caused a lot of excitement, but it won’t be quite what everyone’s expecting. “Rather than her friends and family rolling out the red carpet the residents are told she has died. It’s set to be a very emotional storyline — but that’s probably fitting for Kat. “It won’t all be quite as it seems and the writers have some further twists and turns planned.”

And two familiar faces will be joining Kat when she does return to Albert Square.

Big Mo, Kat's grandmother, and Jean Slater, Stacey's mum, will return alongside in the New Year and as Eastenders fans will know, this is likely to cause major drama.

According to BBC, the Slater clan will reunite "to sort out Stacey in only a way the Slaters can" as she's had a tough time of it lately.

The last time viewers saw Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace), she had fallen from a boat in spin-off series Redwater and husband Alfie was fighting for his life in hospital.

However, she's back and larger than life with this new storyline set to cause major havoc in 2018.

Speaking about the news, John Yorke, Executive Consultant said:

"The Slaters are one of the all-time great families in EastEnders and Albert Square has never felt quite the same since they scattered to different ends of the country, and in some cases beyond. "It has been a real joy to find a way to bring them back together and we’re incredibly excited about where we are taking them next. It won’t just be familiar Slaters either as there are a couple of twists and characters to add fresh spice to an iconic creation".