EastEnders fans 'work out' Stella's tragic past as she finally confronts Yolande

EastEnders fans are utterly convinced that Stella has fallen prey to the same manipulative grip of her own husband, Pastor Clayton, as her recent confrontation with Yolande Trueman seemed to suggest.

High drama unfolded during Monday's episode in Albert Square when, despite the harsh treatment from Pastor Clayton, Yolande attempted to carry on with a semblance of normalcy. However, at the community centre, in walked an agitated Stella who demanded fiercely that Yolande withdraw her statement to the police, convinced that other accusers would drop their claims against her husband as well.

Yolande's biting retort was clear: "They're doing it because now it's their chance."

The mood turned sombre when Yolande disclosed the extent of her mistreatment and Stella momentarily showed a flicker of empathy, though she stubbornly continued to justify her husband's reprehensible actions.

Fans were aghast as Yolande declared: "He violated me. Do you know how that made me feel? It made me hate myself!" and levelled with Stella saying, "Your husband made a fool of me. And from where I'm standing, it looks like he made a fool of you too!" reports the Daily Star.

The dramatic scene, with tears streaming down both women's faces, left fans surmising that Stella might be suffering under Clayton's cruel sway as well. A fan expressed on social media, "Stella has clearly been abused and manipulated by Clayton too, good for Yolande for seeing it. She's a bigger person than I would've been, to both Agatha and Stella."

Meanwhile, another viewer commented, "I can see the look in Stella's eyes. It's fear. Yolande is right, Stella deserves better."

A third viewer weighed in with their thoughts, commenting: "Stella is in denial. I think Clayton was physically abusive to her too. I think he hit Stella on multiple occasions or started belittling her."

The episode's climax left viewers aghast as Yolande faced turmoil. The scene showed her relaxing at home when Pastor Clayton appeared at her doorstep, barging in with the declaration that he's not leaving.

As the heart-wrenching drama played out, fans were quick to take to social media. One distressed fan posted: "I hoped that last scene was a nightmare and Yolande is being haunted by Clayton or she's hallucinating?!"

Another anxious viewer expressed: "Clayton is at the door to confront Yolande. HE BETTER NOT HURT HER."

EastEnders airs Mondays-Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One.