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EastEnders fans have a very interesting theory about why Mel’s returning

We can't help but love all this speculation

ICYMI – Melanie Owen, AKA Tamzin Outhwaite – is heading back to Walford early next year in what has been described as a HUGE storyline. Yeah, we’re pretty excited about the whole thing.

Read more: EastEnders fans in frenzy over Tamzin Outhwaite’s return

The EE fandom have already been busy working out why Mel would be returning to Albert Square after 15 years away – and with no obvious links to the current cast.

Yeah she was married to Ian for like half an hour (no, seriously, it was about that before she left him) and had a bit of a yucky ONS with Phil – but apart from that, who does she know?

Well, fans have been looking much deeper into things –  these are the best theories we’ve seen so far.

She’s something to do with the Max Branning/ James Willmott-Brown stuff

The most popular theory is that Mel is somehow embroiled in the whole Max Branning revenge story – possibly making her return as JWB’s new love interest.

It would make sense because Mel had beef with Ian who is Kathy’s son, who JWB has beef with for ruining his life. With us so far?

Mel was in a relationship with Ian (we know right?) but he was worried he would lose her to Steve Owen so he lied to her that his daughter, Lucy – who was just a wee toddler back then – had cancer so Mel would stay with him.

The truth came out shortly after Mel and Ian married and she walked out on him. Could she have held a grudge all this time?

She’s returning with Phil or Ian’s child

Mel was pregnant when she had to flee Walford after being implicated in her dead husband’s drug smuggling schemes. There’s speculation among the fandom that Mel will be returning with an unknown teenage Mitchell or Beale.

With Phil about to lose Ben (we’re still NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS) again and Ian with all his kids either dead, in prison or AWOL, we’re sure the baby daddy won’t let their new found offspring leave easily.

Or was she carrying Steve’s baby and the now teenage spawn of Steve wants to avenge his or her dad’s death?

Could she be a new love interest for Jack Branning?

He’s been in mourning for Ronnie for almost a year, which in soap years is a really long time. And feisty blonde Mel is definitely Jack’s type of woman.

We can totes see them together.

Will she be working with Lisa Fowler to bring Phil Mitchell down?

Ok so this is complicated. Lisa – who made a brief return earlier this year – shot Phil back in 2002. Lisa and little Louise then left Walford to stay with Mel, who had fled to Portugal. Phil was responsible for Mel’s then hubby, Steve’s, death after they were having some kind of car chase and Steve crashed and his motor turned into a fireball.

Lisa still hated Phil when she came back after Louise’s accident, could the wronged women have teamed up for revenge?

But hang on….the Portugal connection?

Read more: Mel Owen is coming back to EastEnders

So, Mel fled to Portugal. Lisa and Louise joined her there. And who else has been living in Portugal? Why – none other than Grant and Courtney Mitchell.

Is it even possible that Mel has hooked up with Grant while she’s been away? Is a Mel and Grant ship the ultimate ‘Enders dream? Could Grant and Courtney be coming back too?

However she returns, we just know it’s going to go off on the Square.

Welcome home, Mel!

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