STOP EVERYTHING BECAUSE WELLARD THE DOG IS RETURNING TO EASTENDERS

Guys, HUGE news: our favourite EastEnders character is returning to the show, seven entire years and 18 whole days (yeah, we counted) since he got killed off.

He’s a bit smelly, incredibly hairy and hasn’t got much going on between the ears. But enough about Dean Gaffney – meet Wellard 2!

This gorgeous Belgian Tervuren has been cast as a replacement canine buddy for Dean’s character Robbie Jackson when he returns for a short stint later this autumn.

There’s no telling whether the latest Wellard will find doggy love of his own with Albert Square’s resident pooch Lady Di, but he’ll certainly be keeping Robbie company.

According to the BBC, the original Wellard died in 2008 (sob) and Robbie never got over losing his beloved shaggy mate, so when he spies a chance to get a new dog for his son, he goes for it.

“In typical Robbie style, things don’t quite go to plan but at the last minute his dreams come true. And of course, there is only one name for him – Wellard 2,” the Beeb adds.

“Robbie and Wellard were inseparable, so it seems only right that there will be a Wellard 2," reckons Dean.

"I think viewers are going to love him.”

Yes, but will Wellard 2 stick around when Dean leaves the show? Because we can’t go getting attached if the pooch goes too. DON’T DO THIS TO US AGAIN, EASTENDERS.

A history of death in EastEnders. Warning: bleak