EastEnders spoilers follow.

Chelsea Fox has faced a new setback over escaping Gray Atkins in EastEnders.

Thursday's episode (January 20) opened with a direct follow-up to a vengeful Gray catching Chelsea going out to get her passport.

Chelsea was ultimately able to sooth Gray by claiming she'd been visiting their son Jordan in the hospital, thus making her husband feel guilty over his suspicions.

eastenders, chelsea
BBC

Related: EastEnders' Jay Brown to get shock revenge on Janine Butcher

She then made another plan to actually visit the hospital to meet up with Kheerat Panesar in secret to set the next phase of her escape plan in motion.

Chelsea was alarmed to find out at the hospital that Gray had already registered Jordan's birth certificate, essentially trapping her by asserting his parental rights for their baby.

In a later scene at Denise's flat, Kheerat tried to assure her everything would work out as they planned in spite of this latest setback.

eastenders, kheerat, chelsea
BBC

"This isn't a game. This is my life," she insisted. "You and Whitney, playing detective. I can't get out. How am I going to get out now?"

When Kheerat encouraged her to come clean to Denise, a defeated Chelsea explained that Gray would now be a permanent fixture in her life regardless because he's on the birth certificate.

"He's got rights now," she noted.

Later, Denise took Chelsea home and what she thought was a private conversation with Gray, urging him to book his wife an assessment with her GP.

eastenders, chelsea
BBC

Related: EastEnders' Ben Mitchell to have disturbing flashback after opening up to Callum

Chelse was actually sitting at the top of the stairs listening in, terrified of being stuck with Gray.

EastEnders airs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays on BBC One.

Read more EastEnders spoilers on our dedicated homepage.


If you've been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, organisations including Refuge (www.refuge.org.uk) and Women's Aid (www.womensaid.org.uk) can provide further support and information. The 24-hour, freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0808 2000 247. The US National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or text LOVEIS to 22522.

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Justin Harp

Night News Editor

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