A village regular returned to Emmerdale this week – and fans were thrilled to have her back.
Pearl Ladderbanks had not been on screen for months, before she reappeared on screen on Monday (January 13).
Read more: Emmerdale viewers confused by ‘missing scene’ as Belle and Jamie clash
Veteran resident Pearl – played by Meg Johnson – mysteriously disappeared last October, and hadn’t been seen since – leading some to believe she might have been killed off-screen.
But fans were happy when she turned up in the cafe and was reunited with Brenda.
Good to see Pearl’s still alive.
Pearl – played by actress Meg Johnson – revealed she’d been living in a static caravan of all places during her time away from the village.
Read more: Emmerdale fans wants Moira Dingle to return a ‘better person’ after her shock exit
Pearl, who has been on the show since 2003, enjoyed a cup of tea and a natter with Brenda.
During the opening minutes of the episode, Brenda welcomed her friend and said: “I’ve heard all about you gallivanting off on your caravan holiday. I’ve been quite jealous.”
She added: “Oh it’s lovely to have you back.”
Bizarrely, though, Pearl didn’t actually say anything during the scene, which baffled some viewers.
One said: “So the lesser spotted Pearl returns after eight months to not even speak? #Emmerdale.”
Another said: “Dear Pearl, it really IS lovely to have you back. We LOVE Pearl. #Emmerdale.”
A third added: “Good to see Pearl’s still alive.”
Good to see pearls still alive #emmerdale
— christopher holmes (@mrcrh11) January 13, 2020
Pearl sighting omg! #emmerdale pic.twitter.com/LHmIeYbip2
— All In The Name Of Emmerdale (@Ishipvanity) January 13, 2020
Well Well Well-Long time no see Pearl! #Emmerdale
— Matthew Chapman (@Matt528chap) January 13, 2020
Pearl still exists in shocked 😂😂 #Emmerdale
— Shaheen (@topgooner100) January 13, 2020
So good to see Pearl again I’ve missed her #emmerdale
— ju (@toastandhoodies) January 13, 2020
Dear Pearl, it really IS lovely to have you back. We LOVE Pearl. #Emmerdale
— SJM (@sarahsjmmoore) January 13, 2020
So the lesser spotted Pearl returns after 8 months to not even speak?#emmerdale
— Aldi Smaldi (@aldismaldi) January 13, 2020
PEARL!!!!!! She’s back! #Emmerdale @emmerdale
— Victoria Cubie (@VikkiCx) January 13, 2020
Pearl!!!
She's back#Emmerdale #Pearl
— Ash 🐧💜 || Background Ghost (@HumanJukeboxAsh) January 14, 2020
“So good to see Pearl again, I’ve missed her,” said one more.
Was Pearl’s return a brief one, or will she be involved in any upcoming storylines?
During her time on the soap, Pearl has been involved in some hard-hitting storylines including an addiction to online gambling, getting scammed by an internet get-rich-quick scheme and being blackmailed by Eric.
Did you miss Pearl? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!