Eastenders airs worrying Nicola Mitchell health twist in early iPlayer release

 Her day takes a sudden turn...

EastEnders has aired a worrying health twist for Nicola Mitchell, in a dramatic week where she takes centre stage. This week pregnant Nicola found herself in a lot of pain and was taken to the hospital, where she was thankfully told that her baby was fine.

She was distracted by other events, as this week she clocked Penny’s suspicious behaviour following her own pregnancy scan. Nicola realised that her son Harry could be the father of Penny’s baby, not Vinny – so she urged Penny to get a DNA test, or else she will expose this paternity secret.

As George prepared for the launch of restaurant Knight Fusion in today's episode, Nicola’s mind was elsewhere. She confronted Penny and urged her to get a DNA test today, and issued another stern threat when Penny refused.

Penny talked things through with Lauren and Oscar and concluded that she can’t take a test, as she doesn’t want to ruin her future with Vinny and her friendship with Gina if it was revealed that Harry is the father.

At Harry’s Barn, Nicola experienced sharp stomach pains as Penny arrived to confirm that she won’t be taking a DNA test. Penny reminded Nicola that Harry would turn his back on her if she blew up his relationship with Gina and could even turn back to drugs.

As triumphant Penny went to leave, Nicola’s pain continued, and Penny insisted on calling Harry to come over. When Harry turned up, he was keen to take his mum to hospital, but Nicola refused – and decided to instead go home to rest and run a bath.

Later, the Knight Fusion launch got underway with George at the helm, safe in the knowledge that Nicola was at home chilling out.

Meanwhile, despite getting the upper hand over Nicola earlier, Penny knew that things were far from over and that until she proves that Harry isn’t the dad of her baby, she is just buying time.

Back at home, Nicola went downstairs to get water but suddenly dropped the glass when she was overwhelmed by pain and was left fearing that something is seriously wrong with her baby.

This marks the start of a harrowing new storyline for Nicola and George, as she goes into premature labour in tomorrow’s episode.

Home and away Thursday 2nd April 2026 Promo

 

Thursday 2nd April 2026 | Lacey fights off the press. John plays detective. Sonny and Dana celebrate progress.

Home and Away 8690 Episode 1st April 2026

 Wednesday 1st April (Episode 8690) John grows suspicious. Brax’s grand plan stalls. Great news is afoot for Sonny.

Easenders 1st 04 2026 Full Episode 1st March 2026

 Elaine and Ian remain at odds, Penny is given a choice, and the Truemans worry about Patrick.

Incredible sum raised for Home and Away star Alea O'Shea, 25, on GoFundMe as she fights brain cancer - and reveals her devastating hair loss

 Alea O'Shea's friends have raised over $80,000 for the actress on GoFundMe as she continues to fight brain cancer. 

The fundraiser for the social media star, who was diagnosed with the disease last year, has a goal of $90,000, with the donations rising daily.

'Over the past months, Alea has been bravely facing brain cancer and the many treatments that come with it,' organiser Lauren Newton wrote on the page.

'Last week she underwent another surgery as part of her ongoing fight. While her courage has never wavered, the journey has been incredibly challenging for both Alea and her family,' she continued. 

'Many people in our community have been asking how they can help. This page has been created to give friends, family, and the wider community a way to support Alea by helping ease the financial pressure of medical treatments and related expenses.'

The GoFundMe had an initial goal of $80,000, but that was raised when it was reached on Monday.  

Alea O'Shea's friends have raised over $80,000 for the actress on GoFundMe as she continues to fight brain cancer. Pictured in 2024

Alea, who starred as Darcy Callahan on Home and Away between 2011 and 2014 and  again from 2016 to 2017, recently documented the hair loss she has suffered as a result of radiation therapy as she battles the illness.  

The star first revealed she had been diagnosed with brain cancer in December. 

Sharing the news to her 300,000 combined followers, she said the past few weeks had been nothing short of 'insane'.

Although clearly shocked at her recent diagnosis, she promised fans she would be open about her condition as she prepares to undergo treatment.

'This is a video I obviously thought I'd never have to make, but I've recently been diagnosed with brain cancer,' she began.

'Saying that like, a hook, is insane. It's been a crazy few weeks.'

Alea explained she underwent a biopsy on her birthday, and has been 'waiting for results in a bit of limbo' ever since.

'Now that I finally have some clarity, I just want to share what's going on.

The fundraiser for the social media star, who was diagnosed with the disease last year, has a goal of $90,000, with the donations rising daily

'I'm choosing to be open and honest about this online, because I want to live my life as normally as possible while I'm fighting this,' she said 

I'm choosing to be open and honest about this online, because I want to live my life as normally as possible while I'm fighting this.'

Alea revealed that her ordeal began around six weeks prior with tiny changes she initially brushed off.

'I noticed that my smile was a little uneven, and it felt harder to talk [and] get my words out,' she said.

'I had a few migraines, but nothing scary.'

However things escalated rapidly while she was recently in the United States working.

'While I was in LA I lost feeling in two of my fingers, which then crept into my wrist and then my toe,' she explained.

At first, Alea assumed it was something minor, like a pinched nerve, so she went to her physiotherapist to have it checked out.

'He immediately realised it was beyond his scope and sent me to get a brain scan. And that's how we found it.'

Alea, who starred as Darcy Callahan on Home and Away between 2011 and 2014 and again from 2016 to 2017, recently documented the hair loss she has suffered as a result of radiation therapy as she battles the illness

The star first revealed she had been diagnosed with brain cancer in December

The actress is now urging others to trust their gut when their body feels 'off', and to advocate for themselves when seeking help.

'When something feels off even slightly, pay attention to it and find the right professionals who will take you seriously.'

Despite the news, Alea said she is still able to walk and move, but the left side of her body has been affected, and may get worse before it gets better.

'Can I flip you off? No. Thumbs up? No. Or hold things? No,' she joked.

'But the good news is, where it is on my brain isn't going to affect my personality. I'm still going to be as hilarious, and have the gift of the gab.'

After surgery, doctors have warned her about potential complications, as well as the possibility of losing her hair and paralysis down the left side of her body, but they would 'have to play it by ear'.

'So, in the coming months, I might be doing videos one handed. I might disappear when I need to, but mostly, I'm going to be showing up as me every single day that I can,' she said.

Despite the devastating diagnosis, Alea told fans she feels 'genuinely so blessed' thanks to the support around her.

Alea said she is still able to walk and move, but the left side of her body has been affected, and may get worse before it gets better

She also thanked her long-time followers for sticking by her.

'To everyone who follows me and has been invested in my journey thus far, regardless, thank you so much for being here. And thank you for staying through this chapter.'

But Alea stressed the diagnosis will not define her, nor become her 'whole personality'.

'It's just another part of my story, ' she concluded in one of her clips. 

'And if it can bring some perspective, comfort, or positivity to other people out there going through it, whilst helping me get through it, that's all I could ever want.'

Home and away Wednesday 1st April Episode 8690 Promo

Wednesday 1st April Episode 8690 John grows suspicious. Brax’s grand plan stalls. Great news is afoot for Sonny.

Home and Away 8690 Episode 31st March 2026

 Wednesday 1st April Episode 8690 John grows suspicious. Brax’s grand plan stalls. Great news is afoot for Sonny.

Easenders 31 03 2026 Full Episode 31st March 2026

 Josh puts his best foot forward, Penny weighs up her options, and Vinny’s plans cause a stir.

Home and Away forced to issue statement after wild claims about the soap's cast

 "Engage only with verified accounts."

Home and Away's Australian broadcaster Seven Network has responded after a slew of fake fan pages have popped up posting wild claims about the soap's cast, such as actors dying, being diagnosed with serious illnesses, or getting secretly married.

The 'article pages' are reportedly unsafe sites designed to phish users' personal information out of them, and should not be accessed.

A spokesperson for Seven has said "these unauthorised pages have been reported" and urged fans to "engage only with verified accounts for the show and cast members" (via Daily Telegraph Australia).

Home and Away is not the first soap to warn its fans about scams, as the British soaps have have had to put out warnings about fake accounts impersonating cast members and asking people for money.

"Please be aware that actors from both Coronation Street and Emmerdale are currently being impersonated by scammers across all social media platforms," a spokesperson for ITV said last year.

No cast member will ever directly request money for messages, meetings or any kind of personal interaction on social media."

The broadcaster specifically warned fans about videos using deepfake and AI technology to impersonate the actors and offer unofficial meet and greets or tours.

A similar statement from the BBC last year similarly said: "Please note that no cast member of EastEnders employee will ever make contact to request money for meeting, messages, set visits or any other interactions.

"If you have been contacted, especially on a social media platform via direct or mass message posted to a group, please ensure you report these instances to the relevant platform immediately."

EastEnders' Penny Branning gets shocking pregnancy news in early iPlayer release

EastEnders’ Penny Branning has received game-changing news about her pregnancy, as she realises that the father of her baby is unlikely to be Vinny Panesar. As she comes to terms with this surprise revelation, Vinny is desperately searching for a way to fund his girlfriend’s future business

Penny discovered that she was pregnant in recent weeks, and she and new partner Vinny decided they wanted to become parents, though they initially faced backlash from Vinny’s mum Suki.

Last week, Vinny surprised Penny by putting down a deposit on a shop for her and resolved to fund this venture himself by reaching out to old contacts.

The pair prepared for their first baby scan in today’s episode, but Vinny told Penny that he had a meeting with a potential backer for the shop so would meet her at the hospital afterwards.

However, alarm bells rung for Priya, who immediately realised that he was planning to invest using dodgy money that is also funding the chicken shops. Priya reminded him that she and Avani were targeted by these thugs back in the day – and suggested that there was another way to get the money he needed.

Meanwhile, Oscar accompanied Penny to the hospital and agreed to wait for Vinny while she went for the scan. The sonographer told Penny that her baby was healthy, but things looked quite a bit further along than the 14 weeks she had said.

As Vinny arrived at the hospital and saw the baby for the first time, Penny was left secretly wondering whether he was actually the father.

Suki and the Brannings were excited about seeing the first scan photo in The Vic, and it looked like the two families were beginning to get along famously – but Penny was quiet and excused herself from the celebrations.

Outside the café, she was supported by Harry, who was also dealing with some unexpected news after Gina told him that she would probably never want to have kids.

That evening, Lauren and Oscar found Penny in the Square, and she opened up to her cousins about her discovery. Penny admitted that if the baby was conceived any earlier than New Year, then the dad is Harry, not Vinny.

What will Penny do about this shock pregnancy secret?