EastEnders SPOILER: Mel Owen scuppers terrified Ben Mitchell's plans to getaway with the jewellery heist loot as she stalks him at Dover port

EastEnders' fans watched Ben Mitchell (Harry Reid) make a getaway with the stolen loot from Aidan Maguire's New Year jewellery heist in dramatic scenes on Thursday.

But it seems Phil's son may not have escaped all responsibility for the crime just yet as he is unaware he is being stalked by the villainous Mel Owen (Tamzin Outhwaite).

In the nail biting sequence, the mechanic looks terrified as he makes a low-key arrival with his luggage to board a ferry in Dover.

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EastEnders SPOILER: Terrified Ben Mitchell makes getaway with jewellery heist loot as shadowy Mel Owen stalks Phil's son to ferry in shock twist

EastEnders SPOILER: Terrified Ben Mitchell makes getaway with jewellery heist loot as shadowy Mel Owen stalks Phil's son to ferry in shock twist

In a shocking twist, Mel appears to have another plan in mind for the hard man's son when she takes it upon herself to trace the young man's tracks.

The villain emerges from the shadows clad in a fedora hat and a deep purple coat as she watches Ben at the dockside.

While EastEnders fans know Harry will leave the role any day after filming his last scene, the fate of his character Ben has not yet been revealed.

Viewers are being kept on the edge of their seats as they wait to find out whether Phil's son will slip through Mel's fingers or whether he will meet a darker end.

Stepping out of the shadows: Mel appears to have another plan in mind for the hard man's son when she takes it upon herself to trace the young man's tracks

Stepping out of the shadows: Mel appears to have another plan in mind for the hard man's son when she takes it upon herself to trace the young man's tracks

In Tuesday's dramatic cliffhanger, Mel was seen arriving at the garage to meet Ben, though he has no idea who she is.  

Mel will originally claim she needs her car fixed, but it is clear there is much more to her return than that.

Tamzin's return to the Square was previously teased in a clip which showed her taking a shine to Kathy Beale's new necklace, which viewers will know was among the jewellery stolen in the heist. 

'Good to be back': Fans welcomed the return of actress Tamzin Outhwaite on Tuesday after 15 years away

'Good to be back': Fans welcomed the return of actress Tamzin Outhwaite on Tuesday after 15 years away

On the run? Actor Harry Reid is set to depart Eastenders any day now but whether Mel is involved in Ben's exit remains to be seen

On the run? Actor Harry Reid is set to depart Eastenders any day now but whether Mel is involved in Ben's exit remains to be seen

A first-look clip shown on Tuesday's This Morning shows Mel ask her former mother-in-law where she picked up the sparkling item. 

Unbeknownst to her that the diamonds draped around her neck are very much real, Kathy responds: 'Just a bit of costume jewellery.'

Viewers were left shocked when it was revealed that Ben had stolen the loot from the heist last week. 

Back with a bang! Mel's first scenes back in the soap were teased earlier this week, with her taking a shine to Kathy Beale's new necklace

Back with a bang! Mel's first scenes back in the soap were teased earlier this week, with her taking a shine to Kathy Beale's new necklace

Before her exit: Tamzin [pictured in March 2002] portrayed Mel between 1998 and 2002, before delighting viewers with news of her return last year

Before her exit: Tamzin [pictured in March 2002] portrayed Mel between 1998 and 2002, before delighting viewers with news of her return last year

Eyebrow raiser! Viewers were left shocked when it was revealed that Ben had stolen the loot from the heist last week

Eyebrow raiser! Viewers were left shocked when it was revealed that Ben had stolen the loot from the heist last week

The mechanic was filmed staring at a case filled with cash and a big of pricey jewels at the end of yet another dramatic episode. 

The storyline comes after actor Harry Reid, who has played Phil Mitchell's son for the past three years, announced he was leaving the soap. 

Meanwhile, returning cast-member Tamzin hinted her villainous on-screen husband may also make a surprise return to Albert Square.

Steve Owen played by Martin Kemp appeared to come to a perilous end back in 2002 when his car exploded with him trapped inside. 

Why so curious? A first-look clip shown on Tuesday's This Morning shows Mel ask her former mother-in-law where she picked up the sparkling item

Why so curious? A first-look clip shown on Tuesday's This Morning shows Mel ask her former mother-in-law where she picked up the sparkling item

Bling bling: Unbeknownst to her that the diamonds draped around her neck are very much real, Kathy responds: 'Just a bit of costume jewellery'

Bling bling: Unbeknownst to her that the diamonds draped around her neck are very much real, Kathy responds: 'Just a bit of costume jewellery'

'I'd love my ex-husband to return but he's dead,' the 47-year-old actress told The Sun Online. 

'I do think he could have got out in that three seconds and rolled underneath the car.'

A pregnant Mel was forced to go run after Steve's tragic accident, learning of his betrayals including his affair with Sam Mitchell and money laundering.

Speaking about how her character has developed over the past 15 years, she said: 'She's damaged, much more damaged and darker.'

Mel will return with her son Hunter, played by Charlie Winter, who is now a teenager. 

Big bucks: Phil Mitchell's son was filmed staring at a case filled with cash and a big of pricey jewels at the end of yet another dramatic episode

Big bucks: Phil Mitchell's son was filmed staring at a case filled with cash and a big of pricey jewels at the end of yet another dramatic episode

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