EastEnders FIRST LOOK: Karen Taylor returns to Albert Square in search of her dead son Keanu much to the horror of The Six as the women continue to cover up his murder

EastEnders bosses have unveiled a first look at Karen Taylor’s return to Albert Square after she fled Walford having taken the blame for her grandson Albie’s kidnapping.

Karen, played by Lorraine Stanley, 47, went away to start a new life with with Mitch Baker (Roger Griffiths) and their children last month.

in new pictures, Karen can be seen walking through Walford as she returns in search of her son Keanu.

Karen immediately finds an enemy in Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) on her return as he demands the stolen £500k kidnap ransom back.

Her return is much to the horror of Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) and Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal), Denise Fox (Diane Parish) and Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) who were involved in his Christmas Day killing.

EastEnders bosses have unveiled a first look at Karen Taylor’s return to Albert Square after she fled Walford having taken the blame for her grandson Albie’s kidnapping

in new pictures, Karen (Lorraine Stanley, right) can be seen walking through Walford as she returns in search of her son Keanu (Actress Clair Norris pictures as Bernadette Taylor, left, and Steve McFadden seen as Phil Mitchell, centre)

Karen has no idea her son is dead after he was stabbed by Linda as he strangled Sharon on Christmas Day.

It comes after it emerged a legendary pregnant character could be set for a dramatic exit after she gets hit by a car.

The star was snapped filming what could be one of her final ever scenes on the dramatic BBC soap alongside her co-stars Natalie Cassidy, James Farrar, and returned icon Patsy Palmer.

During the evening scene, heavily pregnant Whitney (played by Shona McGarty), can be seen walking into trouble as she tries to look out for a young mysterious girl.

Bianca, Zack, and Sonia were also spotted trying to lend Whitney a helping hand.

However, things quickly spiral out of control when the four of them come across the young girl’s mother, who is also a drug addict, and a violent fight breaks out.

Tragedy then quickly struck after heavily pregnant Whitney suddenly gets hit by a car, sparking speculation that the star could be about to have a heartbreaking end to her time on the show.

During the devastating scene, Zack and Sonia can be seen looking on in utter shock as they witness Whitney being run over and the scene ends on a dramatic cliffhanger.

Karen immediately finds an enemy in Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden, centre) on her return as he demands the stolen £500k kidnap ransom back

Karen has no idea her son Keanu is dead after he was stabbed by Linda as he strangled Sharon on Christmas Day (actor Danny Walters pictured as Keanu Taylor)

Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) grabbed a knife and stabbed Keanu in the back in a bid to save Sharon Watt’s (Letitia Dean) life while he strangled her

However, fans will have to wait and see whether this tragic accident will be linked to her exit.

It comes after Shona McGarty, 31, revealed last year that she would be quitting the soap after portraying Whitney for 15 years, after joining at the age of 16 in 2008.

Speaking to The Sun on Sunday about her decision to leave Albert Square, Shona said: ‘I have decided to spread my wings and will be leaving EastEnders. I have loved my years in the show.’ A source told the publication that it ‘wasn’t an easy decision’ but that Shona feels now is the right time to ‘try something new.’

They added: ‘She is hoping the door will be left open for her character to return one day, but nothing is guaranteed and it is all in the hands of the scriptwriters.’

As the adopted daughter of the infamous Bianca Jackson (played by Patsy Palmer), Whitney was part of several hard-hitting storylines.

In 2008 Whitney was groomed and abused by her onscreen mum’s partner and in 2020 she killed deranged Leo King for the soap’s 35th anniversary.

It is thought Shona will pursue a singing career, something she hasn’t shied away from.

In 2012, she performed on Children in Need singing Sam Cooke’s A Change is Gonna Come.

It comes after it emerged a pregnant Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty, pictured) could be set for a dramatic exit after she gets hit by a car

She also released a charity song for Great Ormond Street Hospital in 2018 and covered The Beatles’ Let It Be in 2021 for the ­charity Mind.

And just last year we saw her sing at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance for BBC1.

The source told The Sun: ‘As well as acting, Shona loves singing and has a real musical talent, so that is one of the options available.’

The star narrowly missed out on winning the Best Leading Performer at last year’s British Soap Awards, but EastEnders bagged the big prize – Best British Soap.

It recently emerged actress Patsy Palmer would reprise her role as the fiery Bianca Jackson (pictured) for a short stint this spring