EASTENDERS has brought back yet another major character in a huge twist.
Fans of the BBC soap opera were left stunned when the character made a shock re-appearance after 27 years away.
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Joe Wicks, played by Paul Nicholls, made an unannounced cameo on EastEnders as he spoke to his father David via FaceTime.
Fans were already loving the re-introductions of Micheal French’s David Wicks and Patsy Palmer’s Bianca Jackson with Joe’s return now having put the icing on the cake.
For the past week, fans have seen David be inundated with calls from a mysterious Holly but her identity was revealed as part of the Joe twist.
Holly is in fact Joe’s daughter.
It is the first time that a daughter for the character has been mentioned, with it being revealed that David had recently re-connected with Joe and Holly after a period of absence.
As part of the storyline, David was fleeing Walford to head back up North and it was quickly revealed that it was to spend time with Joe and Holly.
Speaking over the phone in tonight’s episode, Joe said: “Listen, this girl is really looking forward to seeing you in person.
“We both are.”
David then added: “It’ll be nice to spend some time together after all these years.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
EastEnders airs emotional exit for legendary character as fans beg bosses for their return
It remains to be seen if Joe will be back in Albert Square or if his surprise cameo was purely a one-off.
With David having left Walford at the end of the episode, their only ties to the Square at present are Bianca who is currently fighting to get Sonia freed from prison.
Commenting on Joe’s return, one fan said online: “My heart is full. Welcome back, Joe, so happy he’s in a good place.”
Another added: “Great to see Joe again! Gotta love Paul Nicholls.”
EastEnders stars who QUIT
MICHELLE Collins has seen her second EastEnders stint boost her bank balance. Yet what stars have quit this year?
The Sun exclusively reported how Michelle, 62, was down to £20,000 in her company accounts when she agreed to a shock back-from-the-dead return to Albert Square last year.
Her character, Cindy Beale, was presumed dead off-camera in 1998.
Yet what about the 2024 exits?
Earlier this summer, loyal soap fans appeared to note how Stevie Mitchell had “quit” the long-running series.
It came after Alan Ford enjoyed just six-months on-screen.
Bobby Beale actor Clay Milner Russell also left this year after five years in Walford.
Fans also feared Martin Fowler actor James Bye would “quit out of boredom” over recent storylines.
Additionally, a host of stars have quit the BBC soap for Hollywood fame.
One of the most successful stars to come from the BBC One soap is Rob Kazinsky.
He played Stacey Slater’s brother Sean Slater from 2006 to 2009, he has starred in Hollywood blockbusters Pacific Rim and Captain Marvel.
Ben Hardy, who quit EastEnders as Bobby Beale almost a decade ago, went on to break Hollywood the following year, when he starred as Archangel in X-Men: Apocalypse.
Since then, he has played Roger Taylor in Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, and he starred in Michael Bay’s Netflix movie 6 Underground.
Michelle Ryan played Zoe Slater until 2005.
She starred as the lead in short-lived American series Bionic Woman from 2007 to 2008.
A third then said: “A JOE WICKS CAMEO WHAT A WEEK.”
EastEnders has featured countless returns over the past 12 months.
As well as David, Joe and Bianca, others to have made big comebacks include Chrissie Watts, Jake Moon, Cindy, Ian Beale and Lauren Branning.
Ruby Allen and Lee and Nancy Carter are also still due to return with rumours that there could be even more yet to come.
