EastEnders fans were thrilled to see Ryan Malloy back on the BBC soap tonight.
Ryan is yet to arrive back at Albert Square but in the final scenes of tonight's episode, Whitney was seen calling Ryan to tell him how much she was missing him. It was then that she admitted that Lily was pregnant, with Ryan stunned by the news.
Whilst he is yet to head back to the East End, fans were pleased to see Neil McDermott - who plays Ryan - back on the show and quickly rushed to social media to share their excitement at his return.
One penned: "RYAN WELCOME BACK HOME! # EastEnders," as a second added online: "the fact that I have just witnessed Ryan Malloy returning to EastEnders in real time?? is this actually real??"
"I still can't believe Ryan is in EastEnders in 2023, wtf? #EastEnders," a third shared, with a fourth giving their verdict on social media about the scenes: "So glad Neil McDermott is back as Ryan #eastenders."
Some fans felt that Whitney should have let Lily make the decision to call Ryan.
One shared: "Oh Whitney what have you done? Stacey will go spare at you for calling Ryan behind her back. She did the right thing though - either way, Ryan was going to find out about Lily eventually whether it was from Lily Stacey or he'd find out a different way."
Another added: "Can’t believe Whitney has told Ryan. It’s not her place. Should be lily’s choice to tell him #EastEnders."
Neil previously shared his excitement at returning to Walford for the short stint.
"I got a call to ask if I would be willing to come back and when I heard the story. I was really excited about what was going to happen and the role Ryan would play. I was really pleased the stars could align and I had the time to return. It’s always good to revisit the character too because you’re always wondering where he is and what he’s up to," he said.
"I also think it’s good for the viewers to see the characters from the past re-enter the lives of Lily, Stacey and Whitney. In terms of preparing, I just put the clothes on and you have a little think about his characteristics and what happened before in relationships with certain characters. I’ve played Ryan for such a long time so I feel I can just step back in. Obviously he’s a bit older now and he’s got a few more grey hairs, but apart from that I just revisit the same sort of thinking as I did when I was here before."
