EastEnders top 10 Slater moments revealed as the family celebrates 25 years in Walford

10. Moving in (September 2000)

The boisterous Slater family dramatically arrived in Walford in a transit van – on the very day of beloved Ethel Skinner’s funeral. They quickly disrupted the sad atmosphere of Albert Square with their loud arguments and bickering over bedrooms. It also became clear that Big Mo had a history with Pat Evans, as they were old rivals and former sisters-in-law. Their tense confrontation at the wake held at the Vic was just the first of many clashes we would see between them over the years.

9. Charlie dies (January 2016)

8. Kat’s fake funeral (March 2018)

After living in Ireland for a few years – a period now jokingly referred to as a separate reality – the residents of Walford received news that Kat had died. However, the reports were false. Kat’s grandmother, Big Mo, had fabricated the death as part of a poorly planned scheme to make money. A memorial gathering was held at the Vic pub, with everyone wearing Kat’s trademark leopard print to honor her, when Kat herself unexpectedly walked in, leaving everyone shocked.

7. Sean’s killer confession to Jean (May 2019)

Stacey’s brother, Sean, was a dominant and troubled figure in their family. He was quick to anger, deeply unhappy, and often violent. The source of his instability became clear when he revealed he’d always blamed himself for his father’s death. As a teenager, Sean accidentally hit his father during an argument, and his father later died from a brain hemorrhage. Years later, he tearfully confessed this to their mother, Jean, who, while fighting her own battle with cancer, managed to stop him from taking his own life. It was a very emotional and impactful situation.

6. Kat’s wedding is interrupted by Alfie (November 2003)

Kat and Alfie’s love story started slowly in 2002 while they were both working at the Vic pub. There was an immediate connection, but it took time for them to become a couple. Kat was initially engaged to a gangster named Andy Hunter, but Alfie dramatically interrupted the wedding to confess his feelings for her. Their relationship has had its share of challenges, but Kat and Alfie remain central to the Slater family.

5. Stacey confesses to killing Archie (February 2010)

EastEnders celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2010 with a live episode that finally revealed who killed Archie Mitchell. Months before, Archie had been murdered with the Queen Vic bust, and the nation was gripped by the mystery. Ultimately, Stacey Branning tearfully confessed to the crime to Max Branning, revealing she was responsible after her husband, Bradley, died while trying to evade the police. Remarkably, actress Lacey Turner performed the scene while battling laryngitis, and had to whisper the line, “It was me!” live on air – a true professional moment.

4. Lily discovers she’s pregnant (January 2023)

Stacey’s 12-year-old daughter, Lily, was hospitalized with carbon monoxide poisoning after collapsing at a party. Surprisingly, tests also revealed she was pregnant – a complete shock to Lily and her family. Stacey had the difficult task of telling Lily, who had no idea she was expecting. It was later revealed that Lily’s older brother, Ricky, was the father. Nine months later, their daughter, Charli, was born. Actress Lillia Turner’s emotional portrayal of Lily receiving this news established her as a promising young talent within the Slater family storyline.

3. Stacey and Max’s affair revealed (December 2007)

EastEnders is known for its dramatic Christmas episodes, and the 2007 special was particularly memorable, rivalling the iconic 1986 scene of Den serving Angie divorce papers. The affair between Stacey and Max, Bradley’s father, had been going on for a year, and the truth finally came out on Christmas Day. A DVD revealing their secret was shown to the whole family, including Bradley and Max’s wife, Tanya. The scene was incredibly explosive and emotional, made even more surreal by the fact that Max remained dressed as Santa throughout.

2. Little Mo hits Trevor with an iron (December 2001)

The storyline of Little Mo and her abusive husband, Trevor, was a powerful depiction of domestic violence on television. After years of physical and emotional abuse, Mo famously defended herself by hitting Trevor with an iron when he attacked her. Though he survived, she was put on trial for attempted murder. Trevor’s abusive behavior ultimately ended when he died in a fire about a year later.

1. Kat tells Zoe she’s her mother (October 2001)

For eighteen years, the family kept a devastating secret: Kat became pregnant as a teen after her uncle, Harry, sexually abused her. To avoid a scandal, she had to raise her daughter, Zoe, pretending she was her sister.

During a heated argument, Zoe angrily told Kat she wouldn’t be told what to do, finishing with the famous line, “You ain’t my mother!” Kat immediately fired back with her equally iconic response: “Yes I am!” This exchange has become one of the most memorable quotes in British television history. Originally, Kat was supposed to deliver the line quietly, but Jessie Wallace suggested she shout it loudly down Bridge Street to really emphasize the intensity of the moment. When it comes to the Slater family, bigger is always better.

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