In a surprising twist, EastEnders reintroduced Lucas Johnson to viewers during the episode that aired on Wednesday, January 31. This comeback episode saw Denise Fox visiting her former partner, who had previously committed heinous crimes and had been incarcerated.

For long-time EastEnders viewers, Lucas Johnson is no stranger, known for his past misdeeds on the iconic Albert Square. But just who did Lucas Johnson actually kill, and what are the full extent of his criminal acts? Moreover, why did he find himself back behind bars after his release in 2020? Let’s delve into the intriguing history of Lucas Johnson’s character in EastEnders.

Lucas Johnson, portrayed by Don Gilet, is best known as the ex-partner of Denise Fox and the father of Chelsea Fox. His story took a dark turn when he abandoned both Denise and Chelsea after Chelsea’s birth when he was just 17 and unable to cope with the responsibilities. Lucas spiralled into a life of drug addiction and criminal activity, but his path began to change after the tragic death of his best friend, Jordan.

Lucas had another son, named Jordan after his late friend, with fellow drug addict Trina. He took Jordan away from Trina and relocated to Walford. Upon his return to Denise’s life in April 2008, Lucas had transformed into a preacher, finding solace in the church. Chelsea eventually tracked down her estranged father and agreed to give him a second chance, especially when she struggled with drug addiction.

However, Denise was initially furious at Lucas’s return but eventually softened her stance, leading to the rekindling of their relationship and even an engagement. Yet, Lucas’s dark side was destined to resurface with a vengeance.

Lucas’s first unintentional victim was Trina Johnson, who was still married to him when he became engaged to Denise. Their dispute took a tragic turn when Lucas accidentally impaled Trina’s throat on a rake during an altercation. He left her to die, making it appear as an accident linked to her drug addiction.

As Lucas planned his wedding to Denise, her ex-husband, Owen Turner, became suspicious of Lucas’s involvement in Trina’s death. On his wedding day, Owen confronted Lucas, prompting Lucas to strangle him with a bow tie. He subsequently buried Owen’s body under the tree dedicated to Trina’s memory in Albert Square.

One of Lucas’s most heart-wrenching murders was that of Sugar, a dog who had witnessed Owen’s burial. Sugar had originally been Syd Chambers’ pet collie but ended up in Jordan’s care. Lucas knew he had to eliminate this witness and offered to take Sugar for a walk by the canal. He returned without the dog, claiming she had run off, but in reality, he had disposed of her.

Lucas eventually confessed to Denise about Owen’s death but framed her for Trina and Owen’s deaths while pretending to mourn the losses. However, Lucas had been keeping Denise captive in the basement of an adjacent empty house. Realising his actions were wrong, Lucas allowed Denise to escape, but when he attempted to take her family hostage, they managed to flee, leading to Lucas’s arrest.

In February 2011, Lucas was sentenced to life in prison, and Denise visited him after learning that Jordan had gotten into trouble with the police. Lucas attempted to convince Denise that he had suffered from mental illness and was taking responsibility for his actions. Despite her initial dismissal, Denise did help find Jordan and invited Lucas and his son, JJ, to live with her.

Lucas manipulated Denise into helping him gain more visiting hours and apply for jobs, but it was all part of a plot to facilitate his escape. When Denise realised this, she alerted her daughter, Libby, who called the police, resulting in the re-arrest of Jordan and Lucas.

In a dramatic turn of events on Christmas Day 2020, Lucas Johnson was released from prison. He had reunited with Chelsea, and Denise was shocked to find him as the speaker at a service she attended. However, Patrick and Phil teamed up to intimidate Lucas and drove him away. Chelsea’s involvement in setting him up for drug smuggling and kidnapping Denise complicated matters.

As Lucas struggled to prove his changed ways, he was arrested while trying to protect his daughter, ultimately handing over drugs to customs. Chelsea felt guilt for her actions and was beaten up in prison but was ultimately abandoned by her father, who chose to cut off contact so she could lead a better life.

Now, in 2024, Lucas Johnson has resurfaced once more in EastEnders, surprising Denise during her visit to him in prison. As Denise grapples with her own mental health crisis and a series of dark events, she seeks answers from Lucas regarding the incidents on Christmas Day.

The length of Lucas’s current stint on the show remains uncertain, leaving fans eagerly anticipating what role he will play in the unfolding drama. Lucas Johnson is portrayed by actor Don Gilet, known for his appearances on various television series, including Babyfather, 55 Degrees North, Doctor Who, and more. Don Gilet has captivated audiences with his portrayal of Lucas since 2008, adding depth and complexity to this intriguing character.