Belinda Owusu is reportedly set to return to EastEnders as Libby Fox, 20 years after her first appearance on the BBC soap. According to reports, the actress will reprise her role for a short period before the end of 2026, with scenes expected to air around New Year's Day next year.
The return is said to be tied to a dramatic storyline involving her on-screen mother, Denise Fox, who is battling blood cancer. A source told The Sun: “It’s hugely exciting to have Belinda back filming. Libby’s been much missed and adds a real emotional throwback to Denise’s story.”
Libby Fox's History on the Square
Owusu first joined EastEnders in 2006, playing Libby Fox, the daughter of Denise and the late Kevin Wicks. She left the show four years later when her character went to study at the University of Oxford. After a brief return in 2014, she departed again for a year, returning in 2015. In 2017, she left the series, but she was last seen in July this year in scenes addressing her mother’s health condition.
Prior to that, Owusu appeared in the soap’s flash-forward episode broadcast on New Year’s Day in 2026, which looked ahead to 1 January 2027. The upcoming episodes are expected to continue that narrative thread, with Libby back in Walford during a critical time for Denise.
Owusu's Other Roles and BBC Response
Beyond EastEnders, Owusu has appeared in Holby City as Nicky McKendrick and had a role in Doctor Who. Newsquest, the parent company of The Herald, has approached the BBC for comment regarding the reported return, but no official confirmation has been provided yet.
Kellie Bright's Departure
The news of Owusu’s potential return comes as Kellie Bright, who has played Linda Carter for 13 years, prepares to leave the show. Bright first arrived in Albert Square in 2013 alongside on-screen husband Danny Dyer, taking over the Queen Vic pub. Despite Dyer leaving three years ago, Bright remained to continue Linda’s storyline, but she is now set to bow out after more than a decade on the soap.
Speaking to Radio Times at the National Television Awards 2026, Bright explained her decision: "It was a very natural decision, is what I would say. It took a long time. It wasn't a decision I made overnight. I'm very, very grateful to have been part of the show for as long as I have. I feel really blessed to have been able to play Linda Carter for all these years, and I am just ready and looking forward to new exciting adventures."
Linda’s current storyline sees her rekindling a romance with Max Branning, the man she previously cheated on her husband Mick Carter with. As the show heads into 2026, fans are left to speculate on how Libby’s return will impact Denise’s battle and the wider Fox family dynamics.
