EASTENDERS has killed off a beloved character in tonight’s Christmas episode – after a shock return.

The BBC soap’s first of two Christmas specials aired tonight and saw Zoe Slater discover that both of her children survived the birth – and were out there.

Viewers know that Chrissie Watts has returned for revenge on Zoe and has been using her daughter Jasmine to get it.

But tonight neither of them were the body in the Queen Vic.

Instead Zoe confronted Anthony about the stalking, not realising he wasn’t responsible – and things turned violent.

Disgusted by his lies, Zoe realised that Anthony didn’t write the card from her son – and thought it meant he was on his way.

When Anthony said she couldn’t keep him away from their son, Zoe snapped: “My son. He’s not coming for you, he’s coming for me.”

Anthony begged: “Don’t do this Zoe. This is a chance for us, we can build our family and get to know our children together. It’s what we both want, what we both need. It’s a second chance.”

“You have lost it,” screamed Zoe.

“I don’t want to do this with you, I don’t want anything to do with you ever again. What you told Kat about my kids is sick. Get out. I want you gone.”

Anthony hit back and threatened Zoe, but she blasted back, warning him that nothing would come between her and her kids.

As he threatened her again, she pushed him into a door frame where he hit his head.

Lashing out he grabbed her and slammed her head on the bannister, knocking her out cold.

Later Kat went upstairs and found Zoe still unconscious – and Anthony dead.

“Zoe look at me,” she said before asking: “What have you done? What have you done? He’s dead.”

Anthony’s body lay cold and dead on the floor – but did Zoe really kill him? And what will Chrissie do when she arrives in the Vic?

Earlier in the episode she was caught lurking by Sam Mitchell – but insisted she was just passing through and didn’t want any drama.

Meanwhile, Cindy Beale found herself inviting her mortal enemy Max Branning in for drinks and possibly more – with neither realising who the other was.

Actor Nicholas Bailey returned to play Anthony earlier this year after first appearing on the soap in 2000.