EastEnders has confirmed a major twist welcoming Max Branning back to the show, as he collides with Zoe Slater in a very unexpected way.

Yesterday’s unmissable instalment of the soap ended with Jack and Ravi scrapping over the missing gun and accidentally shooting in the direction of Kat and Zoe.

The shooting victim was kept under wraps, but in the opening minutes of tonight’s episode (which wasn’t released early on BBC iPlayer), it was revealed that it was Zoe who took a bullet.

As Jack and Ravi escaped inside before they were spotted, Kat ran to her injured daughter’s aid and took Zoe to Walford East to hide from any further danger.

The news of a gunshot quickly reached The Vic, and while the Truemans’ wedding guests spun into a panic, Alfie bravely headed outside to find his wife.

While Kat rang an ambulance, Zoe admitted she had an enemy who was still alive. Alfie then found the pair and brought them back to the safety of the pub.

Anthony – Zoe’s former fiancé – stepped in to help save her life, but Zoe deteriorated quickly and slipped unconscious, to the horror of her family.

As Zoe’s life hung in the balance, the episode commenced a series of flashbacks that showed her giving birth to twins in hospital back in 2006.

Tragically, Zoe’s baby girl died. In the present day, Kat was devastated to learn this when she spotted Zoe had a tattoo in her memory.

In the aftermath of her traumatic birth, Zoe was devastated and insisted that her surviving son be adopted before fleeing from the hospital and leaving her baby.

Back in the present day, Kat travelled with Zoe in the ambulance. In a scene with exceptional performances from Jessie Wallace and Michelle Ryan, Kat apologised for letting Zoe down and the pair finally reconnected. But Zoe’s condition worsened even further.

At the hospital, Zoe was taken away for life-saving surgery, while all Kat could do is wait outside for news on her fate.

Zoe’s phone then rang and Kat picked up, fearing that whoever was on the other end had been threatening her daughter and might have even shot her.

The caller didn’t say anything and quickly put down the phone. But viewers then discovered that the person ringing Zoe was none other than Max.

Why is Max contacting Zoe and what is the link between them? All will be revealed in tomorrow’s episode…