Ian and Lauren returns from New Zealand with Louie and Steven and Ian learns that Lauren and Steven are together. At Bobby's hearing, he is denied bail and Jane and Ian's relationship ends, although they soon reunite. Martin struggles to accept Bex dating Shakil. Buster Briggs begins an affair with Kathy and her estranged husband Gavin tricks her into her house, hoping for a reconciliation. Mark Fowler, the son of Michelle and Grant arrives in Walford after Phil finds a letter from Michelle to Peggy about Mark and he contacts Mark. Phil denies speaking to Mark after agreeing to drop his paternity, but decides to stay in Walford, developing a crush on Courtney Mitchell (Alice Nokes), unaware they are related. Shakil upsets Bex when he calls her frigid when she is not ready for sex, but they make up. Bex and Shakil eventually lose their virginities to each other and Martin is furious when he finds out. Bex and Shakil soon break up. In December 2016, Max returns to Walford and appears to forgive the Beales for the events of the previous year, to their relief although it is apparent that Max is not telling the truth. In addition, Michelle Fowler returns to Walford after 21 years away and whilst Ian, Sharon and Martin are very happy to see her, she clashes with her sister-in-law Stacey Fowler. Michelle alludes to a secret that she has been hiding and eventually admits to Sharon she had an affair with a pupil, Preston Cooper. The situation becomes more complicated when Preston arrives to continue his affair with Michelle, and ends up dating Bex. Michelle is horrified to catch them in bed together. Bex is left devastated and humiliated when Michelle's affair with Preston is publicly revealed in the Vic and Martin attacks Preston. Ian gets involved and contacts Sharon, who drives Preston away from Walford for good. Chasing after him, Michelle takes Phil's car and crashes it into Ian's chip shop. Martin refuses to speak to his sister whilst Stacey tries to keep the peace between them. Bex begins to develop feelings for her teacher Mr. Pryce and she makes a move on him, which he reciprocates. However, he rebuffs all other advances and begins a relationship with Bex's mother Sonia. When she discovers what has happened, she attacks Mr. Pryce and he leaves for good. Shakil is horrified to learn what happened