EastEnders icon Roxy Mitchell made a shocking return to the BBC soap on Thursday six years after she died alongside her sister Ronnie Mitchell on New Year's Day 2017.
The death of the Mitchell sisters was met with a huge backlash from furious fans, who were left overjoyed on Thursday when Roxy, played by Rita Simmons, made a brief return.
In the episode Amy attended a family therapy session with step-mother Denise Fox, father Jack Branning and brother Ricky.
Amy's mental health struggles have been exacerbated in recent weeks as the teenager desperately wants her father to forgive Denise and reunite after it was revealed she had been unfaithful.
In the session, Amy is encouraged to open up about her emotions surrounding the loss of her mum. She zones out and Roxy appears as a figment of her imagination to give her daughter some wise words of advice.
The emotional scenes left EastEnders viewers demanding soap bosses bring back Rita and her on-screen sister Samantha Womack.
One tweeted: "Seeing the INCREDIBLE reactions after tonight’s episode it would be ridiculous for eastenders not to consider a roxy return!!! #eastenders @OfficialRita."
Another wrote: "WOW! I could hardly see this scene through my [heart] An absolutely AMAZING performance by @OfficialRita (good to see you back) & Ellie Dadd. I’ve said it before, Ellie deserves an award for the way she’s portraying this storyline Well done #EastEnders I hope Roxy returns."
"The chemistry between these two. Roxy come back full time, Amy needs you #EastEnders," a third shared and another said: "I think Roxy should come back permanently... I didn't realize how much I actually missed her until I saw those scenes tonight. #EastEnders."
Another added: "I am once again promising the @bbceastenders writers that we as viewers don’t mind how ridiculous it will be that if Ronnie & Roxy comeback after Jack helped them fake their death & have been with Sam in Spain all this time — we honestly will turn a blind eye. PROMISE. #eastenders."
Addressing Roxy's return, Chris Clenshaw, Executive Producer added: "I’m thrilled to welcome the fabulous Rita back to the iconic role of Roxy Mitchell for these special scenes. Although the character was last seen on-screen in January 2017, Roxy still remains a fan favourite. We know our audiences will be thrilled at her short return as Amy seeks some all-important answers from her mum at this point in the storyline."
EastEnders airs on BBC One from Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm.
