Shirley Carter’s life seems to be one of lurching from one disaster and torment to another, and of course, the latest chapter in the car crash that is her existence has been learning that her stepson Ben murdered her BFF Hev, and that her fiancé Phil helped him cover up the crime.

Jay (Jamie Borthwick) also hid the truth from Shirley, and everyone else for that matter, but it’s Phil’s duplicity that has struck a deeply hurtful chord for Shirley (Linda Henry).

So, in an attempt to find solace at the bottom of several bottles, Shirley is set to embark on yet another booze bender next week, but when a bloke she’s been chatting up turns nasty, Phil (Steve McFadden) is fortunately on hand to sort him out via the medium of a punch in the face, but he of course realises that one day, he won’t be there to save his fiancé…

But as Shirley still refuses to come home, a desperate Phil calls her daughter, Carly Wicks (Kellie Shirley) and pleads with her to come to Walford in an attempt to stop her mum’s downward spiral into increasing depression and a reliance of booze.

Reluctantly, Carly agrees, but when she arrives on the Square, things between her and her mother are somewhat hostile, until Shirley breaks down and weeps in Carly’s arms, and it’s clear that no matter how estranged they’ve been, the bond between a mother and daughter can’t be broken that easily.

From then on, things between Shirley and Carly continue to improve, and Shirley’s delighted with her baby grandson Jimmy, but when she reveals to Carly that she’s finding it hard to be around so many reminders of what’s gone on, Carly suggests she come and live with her and Jimmy.

After giving it some thought, Shirley agrees to go, but she warns Phil that he hasn’t heard the last of her…

So will she be back? Find out as of Friday, September 7 at 8pm on BBC1!

For now, here’s a sneak peek look from tonight’s show, when Kat (Jessie Wallace) gets more than she bargained for when she helps Shirley out…