Four years on since her last appearance, Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) stages an almighty return to EastEnders – no doubt to cause more mayhem – as on-location filming teases the dramatic scenes to come.
The scenes in question, thought to take place at a funeral, see Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) come face-to-face with nemesis Janine for the first time since the vanishing of her longtime love Mick (Danny Dyer).
An argument erupts between the former love rivals, with Max Branning (Jake Wood) – who Linda has been fighting feelings for since his comeback last year – intervening.
Janine, as viewers will recall, made Linda’s life a living hell, causing her to relapse before seducing her life-long soulmate Mick.
The situation escalated dramatically when Janine had a car accident with a drunk Linda in the passenger seat and, in a bid to cover up the incident, she moved her love rival into the driver’s side while she was out cold.
The truth of her scheming was exposed at Christmas 2022 – just hours after Mick had tied the knot with Janine. Mick struggled to get his head around who Janine really was, as the scales finally fell from his eyes.
In emotional scenes, Mick reunited with Linda and they gave chase when a vengeful Janine tried to escape. Tragedy struck, however, when Janine drove her car off a cliffside with Linda trapped inside.
Mick jumped in the watery depths to rescue his beloved L but never returned, much to the devastation of Linda who was forced to accept that she lost the love of her life for good.
Janine was subsequently arrested and put in prison. The show’s resident schemer obliterated life for Linda as she knew it, with mother-in-law Shirley (Linda Henry) so devastated by the loss of Mick that she subsequently departed Walford.
In the years since Janine’s incarceration, Linda has attempted to rebuild her life, welcoming mum Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) back to the Square and, after a stint running the Vic with her, the pair set up their one Bed and Breakfast.
But her world will be turned on its axis once more as it was revealed earlier this year that Janine would be making a comeback as part of a story that would ‘blow the roof off Albert Square.’
As for what that storyline is remains under wraps but new on-location filming pictures that confirmed that star Charlie Brooks, who has played Janine on and off since 1999, has reprised her role and started shooting.
Kellie Bright was also pictured as Linda and Janine come face-to-face once more – and Max gets involved too.
Just what is it that has brought Janine back to Walford? And will this kickstart the beginning of the end for Linda?
It was confirmed earlier this month that show legend Kellie – who has played former landlady Linda since 2013 – would depart Walford after 13 years.
‘EastEnders has been my home for thirteen years and I have absolutely loved being part of the show, but I have decided that it is now the right time for me to say goodbye,’ said Kellie, discussing her decision to leave.
‘I made the tough decision over a year ago, and after discussing this with Kate Oates and Ben Wadey, they asked me to stay on to be part of an exciting storyline they had planned, and I happily agreed to extend my stay.
‘I will miss my friends and colleagues hugely, but I am looking forward to my next chapter and spending more time with my wonderful boys.’
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer.
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