Just a few weeks after it was announced that Michelle Fowler will be departing Albert Square – for good, this time? – fans have come up with a cunning theory about how and why.
And it sounds pretty plausible to us!
Michelle, played by Jenna Russell, arrived in Albert Square in December 2016 and is departing after just 14 months in the role.
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And conspiracy theories went into overdrive this week when Mel Owen asked Michelle to tutor her 15-year-old son Hunter…
Big. Mistake. Mel. Huge.
Or at least, that’s what EastEnders viewers think!
Fans are now convinced that Michelle will be embroiled in another underage sex plot after her previous affair with a 17-year-old American schoolboy.
If Mel only knew…
Michelle was fired for sleeping with a pupil in Florida, but he followed her back to Walford to reignite the flame.
In scenes that aired on Tuesday (3 April), Mel bumped into Michelle in the Minute Mart after discovering that she used to be a teacher.
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She asked: “You still know how to get the best out of kids, teenagers, the ones who knows best?”
Michelle admitted it was her “specialist subject” – ewwwww! – which left viewers cringing as they remembered her affair with schoolboy Preston.
Mel then offered £20 an hour “to get Hunter’s grades back to where they belong”.
Fans immediately jumped to the conclusion that Michelle will seduce Hunter!
One said: “47 year-old Fake Michelle is going to be written out of #EastEnders when she tries to sleep with 15 year-old Hunter.”
Another added: “Michelle is going to end up seducing Hunter and that’s how she’s leaving. Calling it now!”
A third said: “I think I’ve figured out Fake Michelle’s leaving storyline… Fake Michelle goes to prison for having sex with underage Hunter.”
One dramatic tweeter – who could even write soap storylines – predicted Michelle will end up with child, saying: “Fake Michelle is gonna have an affair with him and she’ll probably get pregnant with Hunter’s baby #EastEnders.”
I think I’ve figured out Fake Michelle’s leaving storyline…
Fake Michelle goes to prison for having sex with underage Hunter #EastEnders— loz ✨ (@theshadyeffect) April 3, 2018
Michelle is going to end up seducing Hunter and that’s how she’s leaving. Calling it now! #eastenders @bbceastenders
— Louise Westie (@WeeWestie24) April 3, 2018
so it’s obvious Michelle’s exit storyline will be about her and Hunter #EastEnders
— PRE SAVE MIDNIGHT SKY (@unholyfweak) April 3, 2018
Michelle saying she’s a Teacher? 😳 And Mel is going to hire her to tutor Hunter?😳 Please someone tell Mel Michelle likes teenage boys! #EastEnders
— BovaryCee ♋️🌻🙋🏾♀️ DS⚽️⚽️ (@BovaryCee) April 3, 2018
An EastEnders spokesperson said of Jenna’s departure: “Jenna is a terrific actress who has loved her time on the show playing Michelle and it was a mutual decision to write the character out.”
The character of Michelle was originally portrayed by Susan Tully from 1985 to 1995, but Jenna was cast in the role when the former Grange Hill star turned down the chance to re-join the show.
Susan now directs and has recently directed episodes of Brittania and The A Word.
EastEnders continues on Thursday on BBC One at 7.30pm.
Do you believe Michelle will attempt to seduce Hunter? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!