EastEnders has revealed a first look at Mark Fowler Jr’s return following a shocking injury twist. With Stephen Aaron-Sipple taking over the role from Emmerdale star Ned Porteous, Mark made his return to the soap during yesterday’s episode.

At the end of the episode, Mark, who was last seen in Albert Square a decade ago in 2016, arrived at Phil’s door barely able to walk and sporting a number of injuries after an apparent attack.

Ahead of the surprise arrival, the majority of pictures of our comeback king were kept under wraps, but the BBC soap has now released four new images of the returning character.

In one of the newly-released photos, which depict next week’s scenes, a battered and bruised Mark is pictured lying on a sofa while his aunt Sam Mitchell and sister Vicki tend to him as he lies in pain.

Another image shows Vicki with her arm around Mark while his uncle Phil Mitchell looks on. In another set of images, Mark appears to be discussing something serious with Vicki at the café.

In next week’s developments, the Fowlers and Mitchells get reacquainted with Mark following his surprise return, with our EastEnders insider teasing a big secret for Grant Mitchell’s love child.

“It’s been almost a decade since Mark Jr was last in Walford,” they said. “He seemed to be a chip off the old Mitchell block back then, and still seems to be taking after his dad 10 years later as it transpires he’s hiding a massive secret that could spell serious trouble for his relatives!”

Following Mark’s sudden and dramatic arrival, the family is left with questions, and he is pressured for answers by both Vicki and Phil.

“Mark is acting very strangely indeed, which doesn’t go unnoticed by Phil,” our source continued. “He’s clearly in trouble but assures Vicki he’s there to support her through Joel’s trial. However, it turns out there’s more to the story as he later confides in Phil what’s really going on…”