EastEnders‘ Ross Marshall faces a huge dilemma next week when he learns about his son Joel’s shocking attack on Vicki Fowler. But as the community reacts strongly to this dramatic incident, whose side will he decide to take?

Toxic teenager Joel’s bad behaviour reaches a peak in a special episode which airs this Thursday, centring around an incident involving him and Tommy Moon at school.

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As the situation escalates and the worried parents attempt to deal with their offsprings’ damaging views, Joel violently lashes out at his dad’s partner Vicki.

This unexpected outburst leads to serious consequences, and in the aftermath of the incident next week, the fractured family are facing an uncertain future…

Ross and Vicki are at odds following their row over Joel’s recent antics at school, which landed him and Tommy in serious trouble and sparked a scandal in the Square.

Having attacked Vicki when she tried to reprimand him over his misogynistic attitudes, Joel is keen to lay low, hoping no one else finds out what he’s done.

Seeking out Tommy, Joel is relieved when his best mate agrees to hide him in the Slaters’ garage while the dust settles.

Suspicious Zoe Slater reckons Tommy is up to something and tries to get her brother to spill, but the lad continues to protect his friend. How long can Joel escape the consequences of the clash?

Word soon spreads of Vicki’s violent encounter, and rumours start flying that Joel was responsible.

In light of Joel’s escalating anti-social behaviour and his tirades against many of the local women, the truth starts to come to light about what he did to Vicki.

Having heard the locals accuse Joel of attacking Vicki, Ross is horrified – but he is quick to shut down rumours that his own son was responsible.

Fearing for his partner’s welfare, Ross races to Vicki’s bedside and is relieved when doctors confirm she’s going to be okay.

However, tensions simmer between the pair when they discuss Joel, and Vicki is later stunned by a development in the case.

Will Vicki tell Ross what Joel did, and force him to face how disturbed his son really is?