EastEnders has confirmed that Linda Carter will return to the soap in upcoming scenes, after a long stint away from Walford.

Last year, the soap explored Linda’s alcoholism, as the events surrounding Keanu’s death led to her relapsing, with her drinking quickly spiralling out of control again.

While her family and friends tried to help her, in December her mum Elaine gave her an ultimatum, threatening to kick her out of the house if she didn’t go to rehab.

With Linda choosing the bottle, EastEnders aired a format-breaking episode where she imagined what could happen if she carried on drinking.

There were harrowing scenes that showed Linda’s death and funeral, plus the effect that this had on her children – with Danny Hatchard and Maddy Hill reprising their roles as Lee and Nancy.

This vision made Linda realise that she needed to make a change, so she returned to The Vic and told her mum that she would accept help and would go to rehab.

Linda hasn’t been seen on screen since this special episode, with Elaine encouraging the community not to gossip about her daughter’s rehab admission but to talk about her proudly.

After a couple of months away, the soap has confirmed that viewers will see Linda again next week as she arrives back in Albert Square.

In scenes that will air on Thursday, February 13, Linda returns home from rehab and receives a warm welcome from her family and friends.

But she will return home to a less than harmonious household, as the Knights are still feeling the pressure after Cindy’s brutal attack on Christmas Day.

Elaine is under suspicion in the attempted murder case, as well as George, Anna and Gina – with Cindy growing more determined than ever to figure out who hit her with a shovel.

Linda isn’t the only character coming back to Walford next week, with Grant Mitchell also staging a sensational return after being called upon by Nigel to help Phil amid his declining mental health.

With Phil beginning to experience symptoms of psychosis and hallucinations from his past, will Grant be able to get through to his brother?