Sean Slater is returning to EastEnders, and BBC bosses can expect soap ratings to go up because of it.
After yesterday’s news that Rob Kazinsky will be making a comeback as the troubled bad boy, soap fans expressed their joy – with some promising to “start watching again” when he arrives in Walford.
Read more: EastEnders fans LIVID with soap for not revealing Hunter and Mel’s fate
Last night (Thursday 17 January), EastEnders announced the exciting news that Sean will be returning to Albert Square after a 10 year absence.
Kate Oates, Senior Executive Producer of EastEnders, Casualty and Holby City, said: “I’m beyond delighted to see Rob back in Albert Square and back at the heart of the Slater family.
“As an actor, Rob created a modern EastEnders icon in Sean; and as a creative, he has had much input in his returning story. It’s exciting to work with an actor with Rob’s drive, passion and eye for detail, and I can’t wait to see the impact his arrival has on the Square amidst those who loved or loathed the troubled Sean Slater.”
Read more: Viewers call for the axe to fall on EastEnders’ Mick Carter
We’re told that Rob will be filming in the coming weeks and will appear on-screen this spring.
Meanwhile actor Rob, who has made a name for himself in America, revealed: “This year marked 10 years since Sean fled from Walford after plunging into a frozen lake.
“A decade since I left the studio at Elstree and Sean Slater behind to move to the USA to chase a dream that seemed so farfetched.
“Throughout my career I have always felt that my best work was on EastEnders as Sean Slater, that there was something there in him that I understood completely, something traumatic, something that we never really got to show the viewers.
“I have unfinished business in Albert Square and am thrilled to be returning to what I still consider to be my home, however briefly.”
He later took to Twitter to tell his 102,000 followers: “Happy to be back, I have a short break between projects and Kate Oates is a superstar. It’s something I always wanted to do to say thank you to Sean and the show, and we have worked to fit it in in the most explosive way. I think you’ll be… entertained.”
Fans were also quick to express their love for the actor and his character on social media, with one saying: “Finally a reason to watch again.”
Another said: “Yay, will start to watch Eastenders again now.”
https://twitter.com/pepserella/status/1086162986069311490
Yes!!! I might start watching again lol
— ❤️*~*Lou-Lou*~*❤️ (@louise8923) January 17, 2019
Everyone getting excited about Sean Slater coming back… And am just like "Ya'all do know Queen Dean is back in 11 days, right?" #Eastenders #LetitiaDean pic.twitter.com/psExuZjWz3
— Kelz (@CoCo_Kelz) January 17, 2019
NOTHING ELSE MATTERS BECAUSE SEAN SLATER IS COMING BACK TO EASTENDERS
— tez (@tezzzzz_) January 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/MrDCPhillips/status/1086021244946911232
A third added: “Not to be dramatic but I’ve been waiting for this ever since you decided to trot off into the woods.”
“So… time to give ‘enders another go?” asked another, while yet one more wrote: “So happy to see that you’re coming back, I might actually start watching again! Good luck with it all, you deserve this.”
One fan fears Sean will return only to be killed off, saying: “Hope they don’t bring you back just to bump you off!”
Another said: “Please don’t get killed off!”
Sean Slater coming back to #EastEnders brilliant news
— Eastieoaks (@EastieOaks) January 17, 2019
https://twitter.com/Sparklyeyedone/status/1086172868608704513
https://twitter.com/Courts710/status/1086026421288534016
Sean Slater returning is the #EastEnders news I always wished for.
— Toby (@Tobiiiaaas) January 17, 2019
https://twitter.com/shelly_anne83/status/1086031968373010437
Sean Slater returning to eastenders. Fine thing I'll be tuning in! X
— Aoife Burke (@Eva_Burke1) January 17, 2019
Some were thrilled Sean and Kat would finally meet on screen, while others very practically wondered where he would stay as the Slater household is already quite a full one?!
The news of his return follows Kate Oates’ promise to bring back some of EastEnders’ most iconic characters from the past.
Rob played Sean Slater from 2006 to 2009, and left in dramatic scenes just over 10 years ago.
His bad boy character became a huge fan favourite after being involved in a number of explosive storylines, including his fractured relationship with his family, failed engagement to Ruby Allen, and plot to kill Max Branning.
Things finally started going well for Sean when he married Roxy Mitchell… However, it was short-lived when Sean discovered he was not the biological father of his daughter, Amy, and it was in fact Jack.
As was often the case with Sean, he let his rage consume him and he took drastic action – which led to him and Roxy plunging into a frozen lake before he fled Walford…
Well, EastEnders does have a history of bringing characters back from the dead… And if corpses look as good as Sean Slater, who cares?
Are you looking forward to seeing Sean back in Walford? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!