UNABLE to cope with his late wife’s death, Jay Brown spiralled out of control and was involved in a horrific car crash.
The fate of the EastEnders favourite was shrouded in mystery but, next week, the BBC One soap clears up all doubts.
Lola Pearce’s death rocked Albert Square earlier this year after the beloved hairstylist battled a terminal brain tumour.
Her grief-stricken widower Jay (portrayed by Jamie Borthwick) has been raising her daughter Lexi as his own with the help of her father Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) ever since.
But the pressure and the devastation that plague his new life without Lola have left Jay struggling to sleep on his own.
When he eventually met sex worker Nadine Keller (Jazzy Phoenix), who bears a striking resemblance with Lola, Jay was able to find some comfort and paid her to sleep by her side.
Unfortunately, Jay’s pain only grew which led him to take ketamine to cope – and Nadine helped him score the drugs.
Jay’s torment escalated and, in devastating scenes, he was involved in a drug-fuelled accident that left him in a coma.
However, in scenes airing next week, Jay reappears as Rocky Cotton (Brian Conley) is in a time of need, thus confirming he is due to get back to a normal life in Walford despite it all.
Coming up, Rocky is desperate to find the funds to pay back his loan but Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry), to whom he owes the money, has other ideas about payment.
Nish wants Rocky to steal a car from the car lot and the latter agrees, but after a heartfelt chat with Jay about life following his near-fatal car accident, he decides against it.
Everything you need to know about Eastenders
Viewers of the London-based drama were terrified that Jay Brown would meet a tragic fate, much like Lola before him.
Actor Jamie Borthwick added fuel to the fire when he appeared to confirm his exit from the show on social media.
But with an impending return to Walford in the works, what is next in store for Jay Brown?
EastEnders from Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.
