EastEnders legend Patsy Palmer has been pictured in London sparking rumours she has returned to the BBC One soap.
The 52-year-old actress has played Walford loudmouth Bianca Jackson on and off since 1993 and recently reprised her role for Whitney Dean’s (Shona McGarty) exit.
Patsy’s return as Bianca in February 2024 came after a five year hiatus from the long-running soap. The character’s welcome comeback to Albert Square came after Whitney had illegally fostered a kid from Bianca’s estate in Milton Keynes.
But after Whitney discovered her step-mum Bianca knew about Zack Hudson’s (James Farrar) betrayal with Lauren Branning (Jacquline Jossa), she exited the Square leaving Bianca all alone.
Bianca also clashed with accountant Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman) before confessing to Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) that she had been suffering with depression for months.
Viewers watched as Bianca warned Reiss that she was onto him having discovered his secret theft of comatose wife Debbie’s money to fund his and her sister Sonia’s (Natalie Cassidy) IVF treatment.
Bianca then drove off in her taco van and hasn’t been seen since. Meanwhile, her nemesis Reiss has gone on to kill his comatose wife Debbie after his money troubles spiralled.
Sonia is unaware of Reiss’ deceit, but will Bianca return to help her pregnant sister?
Patsy has been photographed near the EastEnders studios, reports The Sun, sparking reports that her time in Walford as Bianca isn’t over yet.
Bianca’s apparent return comes days after her on-screen dad was confirmed to make a comeback in the build up to the shows 40th anniversary in February 2025.
Michael French will reprise the role of David Wicks for a short stint later this year. David has enjoyed four collective years on the Square after he first arrived in 1993.
His last return to Walford came after the death of his enemy Derek Branning (Jamie Foreman) in 2013. David also sought to rekindle his relationship with teen sweetheart, Carol Jackson (Lindsey Coulson), who is Bianca’s mum and Derek’s sister.
But things weren’t meant to be and David left Walford alone once again after she called time on their relationship when he was a no-show at their wedding due to suffering a sudden heart-attack.
Speaking of his return, Michael French says: “I feel honoured to be asked to reprise the role of David Wicks once again. It may only be a brief visit, but we know from his past that David never fails to create a lot of drama in a very short time.”
EastEnders has also welcomed back Laurie Brett as Jane Beale and Tracy-Ann Oberman is also set to return as Chrissie Watts, but there’s more to come.
Boss Chris Clenshaw told The Sun: “As we head towards our 40th year, I think the nostalgic element means a lot.
