EASTENDERS fans have spotted a critical clue that they think suggests a legendary character is making a comeback.
The BBC soap opera has been missing one of its core cast members for months but a new hint appeared to suggest that a comeback is imminent.
Sharon Watts, played by Letitia Dean, has made very limited screen appearances on EastEnders over the past 12 months.
She has taken lengthy breaks with her absence often being explained as her spending time away from Walford with other family and friends after a turbulent time on the Square.
But a clue in a new episode has left fans excited that Sharon could be coming back sooner rather than later.
In a scene, Phil Mitchell, Sharon’s former husband, can be seen having a chat with Mark Fowler, the son of Michelle.
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Sharon has been staying with Michelle in Florida but Phil referenced her coming back to Walford in a conversation with Mark.
Referencing Sharon’s business The Boxing Den, he said to him: “You can manage it, until Sharon gets back.”
It was the first on-screen mention of Sharon in months — sparking a theory that she could be on her way back to Albert Square.
One soap superfan tweeted following the airing of the scene: “OMG SHARON IS RETURNING!!”
They followed it up with: “The fact that Sharon is still getting referenced when she’s not been mentioned in months makes me optimistic for a return at some stage.”
Before someone else added: “Yay! We’ll get her back for like a couple of weeks before she goes on yet another break/holiday!”
Sharon has not yet appeared on the soap in 2026.
It marks her first year, so far, without any appearances since rejoining as a regular cast member in 2012.
She last appeared on October 16 after a brief three-week stint.
Prior to that, she appeared on the show until April 2025 before disappearing.
She fled once again after realising Zoe Slater was back in Walford.
