All kinds of madness is going on over at Albert Square at the moment (more than one of the characters losing a couple of limbs, which is just a normal day in Walford) – after it emerged yesterday Ricky Norwood is to film his last EastEnders scenes as Arthur 'Fatboy' Chubb next week after getting the axe, and Kat and Alfie Moon are to return in time for Christmas, it’s been revealed another character is to set foot in E20 once again.
Actor Derek Martin is to reprise his role of Charlie Slater, Kat’s father, in the New Year.
He will be making a brief return to the BBC soap but bosses are keeping quiet on the exact reason for his guest appearance.
Knowing the show, it’s not exactly going to be happy, but what exactly is Charlie going to stir up?
Derek says: “I’m so excited to be coming back into such a big and important storyline and I can’t wait to get stuck in and be back with the family again.”
His character Charlie was last seen on ‘Enders back in 2013 when he spent Christmas with Kat (Jessie Wallace) and Alfie (Shane Richie) for their final December at pub The Vic.
But this year he will help set the plot for Kat and Alfie’s BBC One spin-off show which will be set in Ireland.
The exact reason for the pair’s return to the square is not yet clear – does Kat have a son she knows nothing about? (Erm... ok...) Has Alfie told her about his brain tumour? Only time will tell.
On their return, producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins says: “Christmas in Walford is always the perfect time for uncomfortable family reunions – and Kat and Alfie’s brief return will lead tears, laughter... and a mountain of secrets being unearthed for the Slater family.
“As Kat and Alfie hold on to each other and their marriage, the discovery that Kat has a secret son will lead to seismic waves through the Slaters – and ultimately lead to the Moons realising that the answers to so many lie across the sea in Ireland.”
Another stressful Xmas in Walford then...
GALLERY: EastEnders shoots in heat
EastEnders shoots in heat!
1 of 10Back in 2008, Danny Dyer told us he had loads of single mums asking him round. Ooh er.
2 of 10Forget J Lo, in 2004 J(une) Bro(wn) was ghetto fabulous
3 of 10The Easties crew got their Mamma Mia on in 2008
4 of 10Charlie Brooks (AKA evil Janine Butcher) channelled Mary Berry in 2013
5 of 10The Carter kids (Sam Strike and Maddy Hill) scrubbed up well last year
6 of 10Who better to become Enders' legends, Dot Cotton and Pat Butcher in 2006, than Louisa Lytton and Lacey Turner?
7 of 10In 2009 Natalie Cassidy became Lady Gaga (complete with floral teacup)
8 of 10Forget Tulisa, in 2013 Shona McGarty was the real Female Boss
9 of 10Ben Hardy, Danielle Harold, Khali Best and Lorna Fitzgerald had a big old food fight in 2014
10 of 10