EastEnders death tragedy drives passion for Oscar and grieving Josh

| Freelance soaps writer Published September 12, 2026 9:00am Oscar Branning and Josh Goodwin are set to give in to passion (Picture: BBC) Zoe Slater’s (Michelle Ryan) untimely demise sparks rekindled passion for her grieving son Josh Goodwin (Joshua Vaughan) and his former flame Oscar Branning (Pierre Counihan-Moullier) in EastEnders next week. Having only found his long-lost mother earlier this year, Josh is hit hard by news of Zoe’s death in forthcoming scenes, after Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) finds her lifeless body. As he deals with his wave of emotions in the wake of her passing, Josh finds comfort in the arms of Oscar, who he was recently caught up in a cheating scandal with. Oscar had been dating Josh’s twin Jasmine Fisher (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness), but despite trying to deny the obvious spark between them, the two lads embarked upon an affair behind Jasmine’s back. When the truth eventually came out during Jasmine’s birthday dinner, it tore the twins apart and ended her relationship with Oscar. Josh, however, lived in hope that he and Oscar could make a proper go of it as a couple, but it was not to be. Zoe Slater’s death hits Josh hard (Picture: BBC) Next week, as the Slaters are deep in mourning for Zoe, Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker) is concerned about how Josh is coping and asks Oscar to talk to his ex and get him to open up. As the pair talk, they struggle to contain their feelings for one another, and it’s not long before they end up kissing… After giving in to passion, Oscar’s head is left scrambled, and in his confusion, he ends up severing all ties with Josh. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. However, it may not be the end of the road for the popular pair, as a clue in January’s flash-forward episode revealed that Oscar will become part of the Trueman family in the coming months – but will that be via Josh or Jasmine? Patrick Trueman asks Oscar to talk to Josh (Picture: BBC) Either way, it seems that the sun will soon be setting on Oscar’s time on Albert Square. Earlier this month, The Sun reported that actor Pierre Counihan-Moullier has quit his role as Oscar after a year on screen, and will make his exit in early 2027. An EastEnders spokesperson declined to comment further on the rumours when contacted by Metro. Deals of the Day An Instagram mattress left me with back pain – this one completely changed my mind Book Val d'Isère, Val Thorens and Tignes for less in Club Med's ski sale Save 25% on red light therapy masks, sauna blankets and sleep gadgets in Bon Charge sale The viral LED face mask with over 350 lights that's currently discounted by £100 A friend said I looked 'snatched' – I credit this new Charlotte Tilbury powder EastEnders airs these scenes from Monday 14th September at 7.30pm on BBC One or stream first from 6am on iPlayer. Arrow MORE: You’ve missed a lot of EastEnders clues for massive twist Arrow MORE: Shock evidence around Zoe’s death delivers twist that leaves Kat stunned in EastEnders Arrow MORE: Zoe Slater’s return was a huge EastEnders disaster but Sean may turn the tide The Soaps Newsletter – Daily All the latest soaps spoilers and gossip, in your inbox every morning.