Rita Simons has teased Roxy Mitchell could make a permanent return to EastEnders, despite being dead.
Alongside her sister Ronnie, Roxy was killed off on the soap six years ago as Ronnie prepared to marry Jack Branning. Ronnie had drowned as she tried to save her sister, with her wedding dress dragging her back under the water.
Roxy dived into the pool, but suffered a heart attack as soon as she hit the water, believed to be from the drugs she was taking, and Ronnie also lost her life trying to save her sister - with fans left fuming by the scenes.
As Rita prepares to make a brief return to the BBC soap as Roxy in a vision to Amy Mitchell, who is struggling with her own mental health issues, she has opened up about whether a permanent return could be made.
Fans were devastated to see the sisters killed off - with many believing they hadn't really died.
Speaking to The Sun, she shared of what could be ahead for her character: "It is up to the viewers how far they are willing to accept whether she is alive or not. EastEnders belongs to the public and it is up to them to decide."
Rita was adamant not to film her death scenes - so her character could come back if it was needed.
"Now is the time to say I played that scene as if I was holding my breath. Go back and watch it online and you will see next to nothing of me at all. I also refused to do the coffin scene. I was asked directly to my face and I refused point blank," she said.
"It was really difficult because I was never a difficult actress or a diva but I had to do this thing to have any chance to protect me because I cared about Roxy. I didn’t let anyone film me jump in the pool, so no one saw me drown."
Rita made a point to just hold her breath and didn't want to film a scene where her 'dead' body was shown so Roxy could live on.
Chris Clenshaw, Executive Producer said of the upcoming scenes with Amy, which will air this evening on the show: "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."
