EastEnders viewers are suspecting the Reiss Colwell we’ve seen onscreen is in fact an impostor, and that the character’s true identity is yet to be confirmed on the BBC soap

EastEnders fans think Reiss Colwell will feature in an identity twist, amid theories his wife Debbie will wake from her coma.

Reiss, played by actor Jonny Freeman, debuted on the BBC soap in 2022 as the great-nephew of soap legend Dot Branning. He debuted after her death and soon arrived in Walford, before striking up a romance with Sonia Fowler.

Along the way he’s caused plenty of drama, including his money issues leading to him stealing money from his own wife Debbie Colwell. Viewers first met Debbie a year ago, when Reiss was seen visiting her in a care home.

It was revealed that Debbie had been in a coma ever since she suffered a stroke, with her requiring full-time care. Just months ago we saw Reiss steal money from Debbie’s savings account to fund his and Sonia’s IVF treatment, with Walford residents recently finding this out.

Since then his money issues have worsened and he can’t pay Debbie’s care fees amid his debts, with them spending more money on IVF treatment. But something viewers have long suspected of Reiss is that he could be scamming residents.

From the very start fans were confused at Reiss never being mentioned by Dot, as some wondered if he was after her inheritance. Sonia was left Dot’s house in the will, and fans wondered if Reiss was after this.

Months and months have passed since then with him seeming to really care for Sonia, but his recent money woes have sparked theories again that he might be a con artist. Some viewers are even speculating Reiss might not be the real Reiss Colwell, and could be an imposter.

With Debbie tipped by fans to wake from her coma soon, some viewers are wondering if she will confirm Reiss is not who he says he is. Could he be a fake Reiss? Might be be someone else entirely?

Despite Debbie and Reiss’ wedding photo suggesting he is in fact Reiss and is Debbie’s husband, some viewers can’t help but question if he is lying about his identity to either steal Debbie’s money, or con someone in Walford.

One fan posted: “Would be interesting if when Debbie woke up she says yes she is married to Reiss, but it’s not the Reiss we know he has stolen his identity.” Another fan replied: “I honestly would not be shocked by this.”

Another viewer admitted: “My mum made a comment to me when he first appeared for Dot’s funeral that she thought he was a conman and how for some reason he reminded her of John Christie, the serial killer . I genuinely thought, no way, I can’t see this guy going down that path.”