EastEnders has dropped a huge bombshell on fans – revealing that Melanie Owen is returning to Walford.
They had teased yesterday that they would be making a big announcement at the end of the show tonight, and the soap’s press account had been tweeting hints and clues all day.
And now the reveal has come with a short video clip of Mel walking into the Square.
The wait is over… #EastEnders #ComingSoon pic.twitter.com/7FTzvJgyrf
— EastEnders Press (@EastEndersPress) October 24, 2017
What?!
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We’re not quite sure what to think! Who does she have ties to on the Square? Why would she return?
Mel was resident in Walford from 1998 to 2002. She famously married Ian Beale on New Year’s Eve and then left him almost immediately after discovering he’d lied about his daughter Lucy having cancer.
She also married resident bad boy Steve Owen, and had an affair with Phil Mitchell. But why has she returned now?
In another tweet, actress Tamzin Outhwaite, who played her, said she always knew she’d be back.
She was last seen on the Square escaping with £30,000 of Phil’s money after she was falsely accused of being involved in Steve’s drug smuggling.
We don’t expect Phil will be that pleased to see her then, unless she’s returning the cash!
Speaking of her return Tamzin said: “When I got the call from John Yorke, the show’s creative director, I just couldn’t refuse.
“John created Mel’s most memorable storylines so it is an honour he has asked me to return.
“EastEnders is in my DNA and I always knew deep down that someday I would revisit Mel – she is a strong independent woman with lots more stories to tell.
“To be stepping back into the character’s shoes nearly 20 years after I first started feels perfect.”
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John Yorke said: “Tamzin is one of EastEnders’ biggest stars, so it’s particularly exciting to welcome her back to Walford for an incredible storyline – one that will awaken a lot of old ghosts, some great memories and a whole new series of adventures too.
“We’re thrilled and flattered to have Tamzin back and we can’t wait to reveal just where she’s been, and just who Melanie Owen is now.”
We can’t wait to see the reason for her return.
Is she out for revenge too? Is she involved with Max Branning’s plot? Or could she be James Willmott-Brown’s new lover? There’s so many possibilities…