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 released a first look at Karen Taylor’s return to Albert Square after fleeing Walford after taking the blame for the kidnapping of her grandson Albie.

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

new pictures show Karen walking through Walford as she returns in search of her son Keanu.

Upon her return, Karen immediately finds an enemy in Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), as he demands back the stolen £500,000 ransom for the kidnapping.

Her return is much to the shock 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). were involved in his murder on Christmas Day.

new photos show Karen (Lorraine Stanley, right) walking through Walford as she returns in search of her son Keanu (actress Clair Norris pictured 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 suffer a dramatic exit after being hit by a car.

The star was caught filming what could be one of her last ever scenes in the dramatic BBC soap, alongside her co-stars Natalie Cassidy, James Farrar and returning icon Patsy Palmer.

During the evening scene, you see the heavily pregnant Whitney (played by Shona McGarty) getting into trouble while trying to keep an eye out for a young mysterious girl.

Bianca, Zack and Sonia were also seen trying to give Whitney a helping hand.

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

Tragedy then struck quickly after heavily pregnant Whitney was suddenly hit by a car, sparking speculation that the star was about to bring 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 watch Whitney get run over and the scene ends on a dramatic cliffhanger.

Karen immediately finds an enemy on her return in Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden, centre) as he demands the stolen £500,000 ransom for the kidnapping.

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 an attempt to save Sharon Watt’s (Letitia Dean) life as he strangled her

However, fans will have to wait and see if this tragic accident is related to her departure.

It comes after 31-year-old Shona McGarty revealed last year that she would be quitting the soap after 15 years of playing Whitney, having joined in 2008 at the age of 16.

Speak with The sun on Sunday Speaking about her decision to leave Albert Square, Shona said: ‘I have decided to spread my wings and will be leaving EastEnders. I enjoyed my years on 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 hopes the door remains open for her character to return one day, but nothing is guaranteed and it’s all in the hands of the screenwriters.”

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

In 2008, Whitney was groomed and abused by her mother’s on-screen partner and in 2020 she murdered the deranged Leo King to mark the soap’s 35th anniversary.

It is thought that Shona will pursue a singing career, something she is not shying away from.

In 2012 she performed at 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 face a dramatic exit after being hit by a car

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

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

The source told The Sun: ‘Shona not only loves acting but also singing and has a real musical talent so that is one of the options available.’

The star narrowly missed out on winning Best Leading Performer at the British Soap Awards last year, but EastEnders took home the big prize: Best British Soap.

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