EastEnders character Janine Butcher returned to screens last night (Monday, September 6) after seven years away, but who Judith Bernstein?
Zack had taken his nephew Albie to an appointment. The doctor came in and introduced herself as Dr Judith Bernstein. However viewers recognised her immediately as Janine.
Fans were baffled by Janine’s return and why she was now pretending to be a doctor.
https://twitter.com/Wee_Westie28/status/1435019508960448512
why is janine pretending to be a doctor? i can only think she wants her daughter back and is going to search for her address on patient records? #eastenders
— brooke logan hater (@stxffyforrester) September 6, 2021
https://twitter.com/SaxSurely/status/1434976163248607232
https://twitter.com/KerryLouiseRoss/status/1434963858813341703
So why is Janine going by another name, and has she used this identity before?
Who is Judith Bernstein in EastEnders?
This isn’t the first time Janine has done by Judith Bernstein.
In 2008, Janine returned to Walford for the funeral of her father Frank.
Read more: EastEnders: Zoe Slater must return with her family, fans demand
Pat and Ricky later discovered that Janine was masquerading as Judith Bernstein so she could marry a Jewish man named David for his money.
They manage to track Janine down to a synagogue just after she married David. Pat burst in and revealed Janine’s true indentity.
David ended up having a heart attack and dying.
Janine Butcher’s return – Who is Scarlett’s mum?
Recently Kat Slater was shocked to discover her son Tommy had been in contact with Janine’s daughter, Scarlett Butcher, who he believes is his cousin.
Tommy revealed Scarlett is living in foster care and wants her to come and live with them.
However Kat wasn’t keen on Scarlett coming to live with them, as she feared Tommy would find out the truth – Alfie Moon isn’t his father, Scarlett’s father, Michael, is.
Kat decided to tell Tommy the truth, that Scarlett is his half-sister, but this made him even more determined to look after her.
Kat decided to go down to the courthouse and tell the social workers she wants to be Scarlett’s carer.
What’s next for Janine?
This week Kat is about to tell Scarlett about Tommy when Janine arrives.
She lays it on thick, giving testimony about how she’s redeemed herself over the years.
Later Janine rocks up at The Vic bold as brass and wastes no time in telling locals what she thinks of them all.
Kat is more determined than ever to get Scarlett away from her reckless mother.
Phil and Kat are frosty as he’s not keen on her getting involved with Scarlett as Billy tries to stick up for Janine, much to Kat’s annoyance.
Read more: EastEnders spoilers: Next week revealed in all-new pictures – September 13 – 17
Later Janine tries to appeal to Kat, pleading for a second chance with Scarlett.
Whilst Kat tells Phil about Janine’s lies, the social worker calls – Scarlett has gone missing.
Kat is sure that Janine has taken Scarlett and Billy desperately tries to reach her.
Lola realises Tommy is upset and Kat promises that they’ll find his sister.
Billy gets a text from Janine and they meet up to say goodbye, she’s give up hope on Scarlett and wants to leave Walford.
Billy tells her Scarlett is missing, it’s clear that Janine has no idea.
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EastEnders usually airs Mondays at 8.05pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.35pm and Fridays at 8.30pm on BBC One.
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