11 characters the new EastEnders boss should get to return

Kate Oates will be taking the helm at EastEnders next month, and there are a few things we reckon the ex-Emmerdale and Corrie supremo will do to reinvigorate Albert Square – one of them being to arrange some juicy returns.

We take the act of bringing back characters very seriously. You can’t just reintroduce people for ratings and then not do much with them (please can Kat have a plot that doesn’t involve a taxi, scooter or scrubbing brush?) and you can’t bring emphatically dead people back to life (we wish, Ronnie and Roxy!).

Also, we want to suggest people who could realistically pop up in the near future. We’d love to see Carol Jackson and Bianca Butcher again – but with Lindsey Coulson ruling it out and Patsy Palmer living it up in LA, it’s unlikely to happen any time soon. And we’ve already highlighted why people such as Jane Beale or Lisa Fowler should return.

Finally, we want characters who’d bring their own big plot as well as provide a strong story for existing families – EastEnders is all about faaaah-mily…

1. Ben Mitchell

It’s safe to say there was uproar when Ben was written out of EastEnders in January – from viewers and media alike. The character had brought so much drama and intrigue in recent years, with actor Harry Reid captivating us all with his compelling performance.

From the brotherly love with best pal Jay, and the tragic romance with Paul, to the complex relationship with dad Phil, Ben was character gold no matter what you did with him. And there’s plenty for him to do still.

Ben could have a new beau, like Harry suggests, or a big secret – another baby to go alongside forgotten daughter Lexi? And it would be good to explore some more of the reasons why Ben did a runner to France to begin with.

Plus, it would be great to see what he makes of mum Kathy getting it on with Masood and Sharon’s fling with Keanu. And his comeback might mean a big story for Jay at last – hoorah!

2. Janine Butcher

Actress Charlie Brooks is always asked whether Janine will reappear to terrorise the Square – and her replies range from, “it’s a joy to revisit her,” to “who knows what the future will bring?” and the ultimate cliche, “never say never”. But that needs to change into a big fat yes!

Now that Janine’s niece Tiffany is residing in Walford again, there’s a bigger window of opportunity. She also has history with Billy, and beef with Stacey and Kat – and who’s to say Janine can’t back with new family members?

Knowing the scheming minx, she’s probably got hitched to some rich fella and gained some bratty stepkids as part of the package – and having had such a turbulent relationship with her own stepmum Pat, wouldn’t it be interesting for the tables to be turned? Plus, we preferred Janine when she was loaded rather than skint.

We say Janine’s return would be even more interesting if her ex-hubby came back, too…

3. Ryan Malloy

Ryan’s comebacks in 2014 and 2016 were a little bit of a damp squib. Last we heard, he was engaged to his old prison officer Helen, but there’s loads that would draw Ryan back down south.

He could get in a spot of bother again with dodgy Ray, or there’s his daughter Lily with ex-flame Stacey – and given what she and Martin have been through these past few months, Ryan returning would definitely set the cat among the pigeons. And imagine Stace’s face if Ry got with her relative Hayley!

Of course, Ryan has sister Whitney to catch up with too and give his take on her latest squeeze Halfway. But we can think of another person who’d have something to say about those two…

4. Lee Carter

As much as we love Halfway, Mick and Linda are crying out for one of their actual children to come home. And we’ve always felt uneasy about how Lee was written out of the programme, following his battle with depression.

Actor Danny-Boy Hatchard’s portrayal of Lee’s plight was touching and raw, so we think bringing back Lee would be a wise move. It would be interesting to see what he makes of his childhood pal Halfway all loved-up with his ex-wife Whit, and an exploration of how Lee has coped with his mental health since leaving Walford would surely provide a better resolution to the plot.

His return would throw a spanner in the works for Whitney and Halfway, and even Halfway’s real-life alter ego Tony Clay thinks this would be very interesting to see.

And seeing as Whitney is taken now, who else would catch his eye? How about confirmed returnee Ruby Allen? Her imminent arrival would also pave the way for another of our faces to rock up…

5. Sean Slater

Getting back Rob Kazinsky as Sean Slater has always felt like a tall order, especially with the star doing well in the US. But the aforementioned return of Ruby only makes sense to us if there’s a connection to Sean – will she have his child with her?

If so, it would be high time the bad boy made a comeback. Not only to react to Ruby, but to have some electric scenes with sister Stacey and mum Jean. We’re sure Jean never found out that Sean killed his father – so could that particular skeleton come rattling out of the closet?

And maybe Sean could finally mourn his dead ex-wife Roxy and give her the care and attention she deserved?

6. Cora Cross

She’s been back and forth on several occasions in this year alone – but isn’t it about time that she took up permanent residence in Albert Square again?

Lauren and Abi may be gone, but Rainie is here again, and Cora had somewhat of a rapport with the Carters after nearly marrying patriarch Stan.

She’d also help represent the dwindling number of golden oldies of Walford – and we always enjoy her sparring with Dot!

7. Shabnam Masood

Kush and Denise are one of our favourite couples, but they’re in for a dramatic time after he cheated on his fiancée with a random waitress last week. And their engagement would really be tested if his ex-wife and her old mucker Shabs swung by, too!

Shabs could return as new manager of the pharmacy and would have Jade with her, reestablishing the grandchild that Shirley seems to have forgotten about.

Of course, Shabnam is also Masood’s daughter and would give him something proper to do that doesn’t involve repetitive comedy plots with Ian. Could he and Kathy finally get together – and Shabnam return for their wedding? Shabs popping up again would also help solidify the family unit with Arshad and Mariam – who are great and should be used MUCH more.

8. Cindy Williams

While many others would cry out for Peter Beale to return, it’s unlikely we’ll see him soon considering Ben Hardy is in X-Men and The Woman in White. Only a recast seems likely.

But we always found Cindy Beale’s prodigy a good character. Her relationship with ‘stepdad’ Ian was always interesting, and Mimi Keene’s performance during the live episode in 2015 was amazing – so you know she can carry a strong plot.

How about her retrieving daughter Beth from rascal TJ Spraggan? Cindy Jnr would be 20 now, so surely ready to cause more havoc like her dearly departed mum and sister Lucy.

9. Grant Mitchell

Once upon a time, asking for Grant Mitchell back felt impossible. But these days, with actor Ross Kemp being more vocal than ever about his time on the soap, it seems more feasible.

We don’t need to explain the amount of storyline material Grant could offer alongside show greats Phil, Sharon and Kathy.

But it’s the people he may not have crossed paths with before that intrigues us. After his dalliance with Belinda in 2016, imagine him getting it on with Kat – or seducing his brother’s ex, Shirley!

10 & 11. Daphne Fox & Vincent Hubbard

Who’s Daphne? Good question! In 2010, when everyone thought Denise was dead, her daughters were joined by Auntie Kim AND Auntie Daphne. Yes, there is another sister.

She was just in that one episode, but Kim only mentioned her last year – so now that we’ve met mum Emerald and definitely established that Denise and Kim are absolutely sisters, we think it would be great to flesh out the Fox dynasty even more.

Daphne could bring back a whole brood with her and give the Foxes more of a powerful presence on the Square. Patrick trying to cope with three Fox sisters plus their kids under one roof would be a hoot!

However, if introducing Daphne properly is too much of a big ask, then Vincent should get back pronto. Kim is pregnant with their second child, and it would be good to see him discover his balls and take Phil down a peg or two.

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