EastEnders fans have been left in shock after the unexpected return of a beloved show legend. The BBC One soap aired a surprising twist in Tuesday's episode, which is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer ahead of its 7:30pm broadcast. Without any prior hint, Sharon Watts, played by Letitia Dean, made a triumphant comeback to Walford.
Sharon, a staple of the long-running serial drama for much of its four-decade history, was last seen on the Square in October. She departed Walford just weeks after staging a previous return. Fans have long hoped to see the former Queen Vic landlady back where she belongs, with many speculating she might return for sister Vicki Fowler's wedding to Ross Marshall. However, last week, Vicki dispelled such theories by revealing she had told Sharon not to bother with the expensive flights.
In an unexpected twist, Sharon arrived in the Square, softening the blow of saying goodbye to Sam Mitchell and Grant Mitchell, who had departed moments earlier. Despite Vicki's advice, Sharon insisted she 'couldn't miss' her little sister's wedding, leading to a heartwarming reunion between the siblings.
The question now is whether Sharon is back for good. Beyond attending Vicki and Ross's nuptials, what will she get up to while in Walford? Grant may be gone, but many of her friends, neighbours, and former flames remain, including Zoe Slater, who attempted to con her out of cash with a cruel lie about her son being Dennis Rickman's. Will Sharon forgive and forget, or will old feuds reignite? Only time will tell, but fans are thrilled to have the queen of Albert Square back home.
Sharon's comeback follows a string of surprise returns. Whitney Dean, who left two years ago, made an announced appearance on Monday. Chrissie Watts, revealed as Jasmine Fisher's accomplice, staged several shocking returns this year, while a ghostly Nish Panesar also popped up. The superb comeback of Cora Cross and an unexpected appearance from Dr Nina Gupta also delighted fans.
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One or streams from 6am on BBC iPlayer.
