Shirley returns as Ben and Jay are sentenced

It's the day of Ben and Jay's sentencing. Ian decides not to attend court as he doesn't want to face Ben, but Sharon agrees to go in support of Phil, much to Jack's displeasure. News soon travels back to the Square that Ben has been sentenced to four years in prison, while Jay has been given community service. Later, when Phil finds Jay at The Arches, he finally makes amends with the teenager by conceding that what happened to Ben wasn't his fault. Phil assures Jay that he'll always be a part of the Mitchell family, and confesses his own guilt as he feels that he should have got Ben help a long time ago.

Having overheard this conversation, Sharon later advises Phil that while he may have made mistakes with Ben, this should make him even more determined to get things right with Lexi. However, as the pair hug in the hallway of the Mitchell house, they suddenly spot that they're not alone - Shirley is back…

Meanwhile, Alfie and Fatboy arrive back from Germany in good spirits. However, Alfie isn't best pleased when an oblivious Jean jokes that Kat has gone out after receiving a call from her mystery lover. When Kat finally returns, she shows Alfie that she has been out organising a welcome home present - a framed photograph of them with Tommy. Alfie is slightly suspicious over her excuse but presents her with a gift of his own - a necklace with similar stones to her mother's engagement ring, which she was forced to pawn. Kat is touched.

Elsewhere, Cora confides in Lauren about her reasons for giving up Ava as they share a few drinks together. Later, Lauren heads to the R&R and gets annoyed when Joey refuses to serve her. She questions why he's suddenly behaving so coldly towards her, but Joey advises Lauren to just forget about him.

Also today, Bianca is annoyed to see that Lola has also been given a trial at Booty's, Patrick leaves Walford to spend Christmas with his son Anthony, while Derek decides to have a festive wager with Alfie and Fatboy - whoever takes the least on their market stalls by Christmas Eve has to hand over that day's takings.

Copyright: BBC