EastEnders sparked curiosity among viewers when a new character, Ethan, was introduced during the flashforward episode
EastEnders has remained secretive about baby Ethan’s parentage after the youngster was unveiled during the flashforward episode.
The BBC One soap certainly went all out in the highly-anticipated flashforward episode on New Year’s Day 2026, which leapt to dramatic scenes on the same date in 2027.
The episode focused on Max Branning (Jake Wood) as he prepared for his fifth marriage, but numerous elements remained shrouded in mystery, including the appearance of a baby boy, which sparked speculation among viewers.
A baby boy called Ethan was spotted lying in a Moses basket in Jack Branning’s (Scott Maslen) front room, who seemed to be battling to look after the infant. Throughout the scene, no further information, including the child’s parents, was revealed.
Meanwhile, Penny Branning (Kitty Castledine) recently learnt that she was expecting Vinny Panesar’s (Shiv Jalota) child, before discovering Harry Mitchell (Elijah Holloway) might be the biological father, reports OK!.
The revelation seemed to suggest that Ethan was Penny and Harry’s son, making Jack the infant’s grandfather.
Nevertheless, some EastEnders viewers believe Penny’s pregnancy twist is a false lead and baby Ethan is actually the child of Denise Fox (Diane Parish) and her spouse, Jack.
During Tuesday’s (April 14) episode of EastEnders, the Mitchells and the Brannings organised a small celebration for Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) after she received the all clear for cancer.
In a sorrowful turn of events, the celebration appeared too intense for Sam, and she dashed off to Harry’s Den and into the embrace of Zack Hudson (James Farrar).
Upon her return home, Denise was there to discuss Sam’s emotions, but the salon owner seemed exhausted.
When Sam proposed a glass of wine to Denise, she bashfully declined before taking a small sip from another champagne flute.
“I have just felt knackered lately”, Denise confessed to Sam: “I’m going to go and get a check-up, but I know all they’ll say is ‘yes, we’ve had the results, and you’re ancient'”, she quipped.
Denise’s comments sparked speculation among fans that she is pregnant with Jack’s baby, who will be baby Ethan.
Posting on X, one individual wrote: “I’m calling it Denise is the one pregnant #EastEnders”, while another queried: “IS DENISE GONNA BE PREGNANT? #EastEnders.”
On Facebook, another viewer exclaimed, “Omg is Denise pregnant?”, while another observed, “I thought this.”
“Well, if it’s Denise, it makes sense; dates would add up. Will have to wait and see. Maybe something happens during the birth, which would explain Jack’s mood and why Libby is back. I find it quite fun piecing these puzzles together and working them out,” added another.
