Former EastEnders star Rita Simons is set to make a shock return to the soap as the iconic Roxy Mitchell in an upcoming episode, BBC bosses have confirmed.
The news was met with surprise, given that Roxy drowned alongside sister Ronnie in a swimming pool in a special New Year's day episode back in January 2017. But all is not quite as it seems in the new scenes set to air this week - Roxy won't actually be making a physical return to Walford, instead appearing as a figment of her daughter Amy's imagination.
The breakdown of Amy's dad Jack Branning's marriage to Denise Fox has been causing confrontation in the family, who end up attending a group therapy session. Struggling with her mental health, Amy is encouraged to open up about the loss of her mum, and zones out as she imagines speaking to Roxy in her mind.
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Chris Clenshaw, executive producer at EastEnders, said: "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."
Rita, 46, first appeared in the BBC One soap back in 2007, as Roxy arrived on Albert Square alongside Ronnie to help their aunt Peggy Mitchell run the Queen Vic. Roxy became embroiled in a number of explosive storylines over the years, including getting pregnant by Ronnie's then-boyfriend Jack and almost being killed by husband Sean Slater on a frozen lake.
The special scenes will air in Thursday's episode of EastEnders. Fans were thrilled by the news - and it has sparked calls for both Roxy and Ronnie to make a proper comeback to the soap, despite both being killed off. One person on Twitter pleaded: "If you were to bring Ronnie and Roxy back, I promise NO ONE will care how ridiculous it will be."
"Bring her back permanently, I am dead serious. The public wants these two back more than ever. Say they held their breath and went into witness protection or something. We NEED them back," someone else demanded.
A third fan said: "This is AMAZING OMG. But I have one issue. This, alongside the return of Ronnie, should be permanent."
And someone else remarked: "Bring them both back - we won't care about the narrative gymnastics required." Stranger things have certainly happened in Walford.
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