EastEnders fans were left open-mouthed during Monday’s instalment of the BBC soap, as Ricky Mitchell made a surprise rare appearance alongside his half-sister Amy.
As the soap returned to screens, several fans were left confused by the youngster’s appearance as they were left convinced he had been recast on Albert Square.
Ricky, who is the son of Sam Mitchell and Jack Branning, lives with Jack and his half-sister Amy after Sam left him in Jack's care and returned to her life in Portugal.
On the BBC One soap last night, businessman and detective Jack Branning met with fellow police officer Callum Highway and his husband Ben Mitchell.
The trio bumped into one another in Kathy's Café, where Jack appeared alongside his two children, Ricky and Amy.
As Jack teased Callum for his recent modelling gig, eagle-eyed fans of the soap spotted his kids picking out a cake to share and took to Twitter to share their amazement at seeing Ricky tower over his sister.
One fan posted: “Is that a new actor for Ricky or has it just been a while since he's been on screen?”
Another commented: "Oh my god Ricky's been recast?!"
A third said they had mistaken Ricky for fellow Walford youngster Will Mitchell, writing: "I thought Ricky was Will for a moment."
A fourth wrote: "Ricky's made an appearance with a new head, Sam Mitchell's return must be very close!"
But the character of Ricky has been played by the same actor, Frankie Day, since 2018, who took over the part of the youngster from Henri Charles, who played Ricky for two years.
Brother and sister duo Amy and Ricky have not been seen on the BBC screen for some time, as they last appeared on Albert Square during the soap’s Christmas special.
Although he has taken a backseat from all the drama in recent months, Ricky will be pushed centre stage as fans eagerly wait for his mother's return when Kim Medcalf reprises the role of Sam Mitchell next week.
Sam left her son Ricky with his father Jack in 2016, unable to cope with being a single mum.
Actress Kim said that she was "thrilled" to step back into Sam's shoes after over 15 years away from the character.
"I had a call from EastEnders late last year asking me if I would be interested in coming back and returning as Sam Mitchell," she said. "I was so thrilled and it didn't take me long to say yes. I was at home when I got the call, and it really was a really lovely surprise.
"I've been watching the show on and off when I can, so I was really genuinely thrilled to be asked back."
EastEnders airs from Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.
