Belinda Owusu has opened up about the emotional experience of returning to EastEnders, describing it as a touching ‘full circle’ moment both on and off screen. The actress made a surprise comeback as Libby Fox during Tuesday night’s episode, marking her first proper return to Albert Square in almost a decade. While fans were thrilled to see the much-loved character back in Walford, Belinda has revealed that reuniting with her EastEnders family was just as meaningful for her.
Libby’s return comes at a difficult time for her family, as her mother Denise Fox (Diane Parish) faces a battle with blood cancer. In emotional scenes, Denise prepared to begin life-saving treatment and a lengthy stay in hospital, surrounded by the support of her loved ones. After learning about her mum’s diagnosis, Libby rushed back to Walford, surprising Denise before she headed off for treatment. The heartfelt reunion gave viewers one of the episode’s most emotional moments, with Libby promising to stay around for as long as her mum needed her.
Full Circle Friendship
For Belinda, however, the storyline carried extra significance thanks to her long-standing friendship with Diane Parish, who has played Denise since 2006. Reflecting on being back together on screen, Belinda shared how much had changed since they first worked alongside each other almost 20 years ago. ‘We reflected on how full circle it all felt, I’m now the same age she was when she joined, and like her then, I have two children. It was special to celebrate that with her. There’s something meaningful about a show giving you that sense of family over so many years.’
Libby's Journey
Belinda first arrived in Walford as a teenager. She joined the soap in 2006 when the Fox family were introduced to viewers, quickly becoming known as the intelligent and ambitious Libby Fox. Over the years, audiences watched Libby navigate family dramas, difficult relationships and personal challenges before eventually leaving Walford to pursue higher education at Oxford University. The achievement was a proud milestone for Denise, who had always encouraged her daughter’s academic ambitions.
Although Belinda made a handful of brief returns over the years, Libby’s departure in 2017 appeared to mark the end of her time in Albert Square. That changed earlier this year when eagle-eyed viewers spotted the character during EastEnders’ flash-forward episode set in 2027, sparking speculation that a bigger return could be on the cards. Now, fans finally know why.
Career Beyond Walford
Away from EastEnders, Belinda has built an impressive television career. Many viewers will also recognise her from Holby City, where she played nurse Nicky McKendrick between 2017 and 2022. One of the most memorable parts of her time on the medical drama involved working alongside her own daughter. Belinda previously revealed that her baby appeared in the series as Juliet, making some of the emotional scenes particularly challenging to film.
Speaking about the experience, she admitted it wasn’t always easy separating her real-life feelings as a mother from her character’s storylines. ‘It was really difficult because Juliet is [played by] my baby. It made it a little harder because Nicky’s relationship with Juliet is quite different to mine. I was gushing over every single gurgle my baby was doing.’ Looking back, however, she said she treasures those moments. ‘In hindsight, I’m so glad we did it because those are days I got to be with her that I wouldn’t have.’
Personal Heartbreak
Belinda’s journey away from the screen has also included unimaginable personal heartbreak. In 2016, her younger brother Ziggy Worrell-Owusu tragically lost his life after being stabbed shortly after celebrating his 19th birthday. The devastating loss had a profound impact on the actress and her family. Despite the challenges she has faced throughout her life, Belinda has continued to build a successful career while balancing family life.
For viewers, seeing Libby back in Walford is a welcome blast from the past. For Belinda, it’s a reminder of how much life has changed since she first walked onto the Square nearly two decades ago.
