EastEnders’ Nancy in crisis as she goes into labour with Linda and Lee missing

With Lee Carter’s (Danny Hatchard) alcoholism and the unwelcome return of Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks), it’s a fraught time for the Carters in EastEnders at the moment.

But things are set to get even more hectic for the beloved clan next week when Nancy Carter (Maddy Hill) unexpectedly goes into labour.

Nancy made a comeback to the Square alongside brother Lee last month, revealing to shocked mum Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) that she was carrying a surrogate child for Lee and his estranged girlfriend Jess.

It later transpired that all was not well in Lee and Jess’ relationship, as he has been battling an alcohol addiction.

The revelation initially prompted Nancy to believe she should not give up her legal parental rights to the baby.

With Lee so far unable to get a handle on his addiction, relations between the siblings worsened this week when he drunkenly crashed an antenatal class at the Community Centre.

Next week, Lee hits the bottle again, and when Linda is preoccupied with Janine’s return, Nancy’s waters break at just the wrong moment.

It all escalates when Linda learns of a shocking claim from Janine (could it be about the whereabouts of Mick Carter?) and realises she needs to tell the kids.

But as she prepares to tell Lee, Nancy and Johnny the truth of what she has discovered, the trio disappear.

A concerned Linda and her partner Max Branning (Jake Wood) head out to look for them, and when they locate Nancy, mum and daughter have a heart-to-heart. 

Needing to still track down Lee, Linda heads off – but the timing could not be worse, as Nancy’s waters then break. 

Luckily, her ex Zack Hudson (James Farrar) is on hand, as he enlists Johnny Carter (Charlie Suff) and Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) to help get her to hospital. 

However, they are unable to get hold of Lee, who has been getting drunk at Harry’s Barn, where his mum later finds him intoxicated.

Lee then opens up to his mum about his worries over becoming a father, but little do either of them realise that his baby is due imminently. 

Will they make it to the hospital in time for the birth?