Much-loved EastEnders legend Cheryl Fergison has made a grand return to TV screens in a hit comedy series.

The actress, who played iconic character Heather Trott on the BBC One soap from 2007 to 2012, has been open about her financial struggles and lack of work in recent years.

Last year Cheryl opened up about being unable to find work, and how she was able to get help from a food bank, as well as from co-star Dame Barbara Windsor.

‘The lovely late great Barbara Windsor was getting her chequebook out to help me,’ she said.

‘They helped me out a lot and helped my family.’

Now, Cheryl has returned to our screens in a guest role in BBC Two’s surreal comedy Mandy, which is written by and stars Diane Morgan.

Each episode follows the exploits of permanently out-of-work Mandy Carter and her best friend Lola, who often find themselves in madcap situations and meeting colourful characters.

In the first episode of the latest series, which can be streamed now on iPlayer, Mandy is forced to attend a restart scheme at her local job centre, where she meets Stella (Fergison), a mute woman who only speaks once to say she ‘looks dirty’.

After performing illegal cosmetic surgery on an old schoolmate, the titular character then splashes the cash on an expensive new outfit to prove Stella and the other attendees wrong.

Taking to social media, Cheryl’s fans have expressed their elation at seeing her again.

‘Obsessed with Cheryl ‘two words’ Fergison. She did a cracking job,’ said one on X.

Another added: ‘Congrats Cheryl!’

A third said: ‘Can we talk about the amount of cameos in Mandy cuz what do u mean Cheryl Fergison and Martin Lewis casually popped up within the first ep of series 4?’

‘Ar Cheryl is in the new season of Mandy,’ commented a fourth.