EastEnders’ Nicola Mitchell turns violent to keep secret in early iPlayer release

However, Nicola hesitated to inform Barney, aware that doing so would likely shatter Roland Manookian’s heart irrevocably and deprive her of the joy of witnessing her own children.

The morning commenced with Nicola cooking a substantial meal for her loved ones, and it appeared as though they were enjoying a rare moment of harmony together.

But her mood changed when she bumped into Zack, who was keen to know if she’d told Barney yet.

Nicola clarified that she wouldn’t be present; Teddy, who was her father, assisted her in tying her shoelaces as she was growing up.

Zack argued convincingly that, if he had known he was Barney’s father, he could have done it just as well – a reasonable assertion.

Nicola concluded that the family would benefit from some distance from Walford, so she arranged a last-minute vacation to Spain for herself, Teddy, and their sons. However, Teddy vehemently objected, arguing that the family wasn’t as close-knit as Nicola believed it was.

Realising she wasn’t able to control the situation how she wanted, Nicola turned dark.

Trying again to ask Zack to give them some space, Nicola urged him, as he persisted, that it might be best if Barney didn’t find out about his true father just yet.

As a passionate cinephile, I was utterly stunned when Nicola summoned not one, but three tough guys who mercilessly attacked Zack, reducing him to an unfortunate heap on the ground.

Will he take the hint and leave Barney alone?