EASTENDERS icon Tracy Ann Oberman is making an explosive return to Walford after more than 19 years away from the show.
The actress will reprise her role as Chrissie Watts later this year on the BBC One soap.
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Chrissie was last seen on-screen when she was sent to prison for the murder of her husband, Den Watts.
She had buried the body of Den under the barrel store floor of The Vic alongside Sam Mitchell and Zoe Slater with them all keeping quiet about the death.
However, when Sam went on to drunkenly dig the body up, the full story soon unravelled with Sharon Watts being left horrified at Chrissie’s crime.
Having been sent away to jail, she has seldom been mentioned or heard from since.
But now she is set to shake Walford to the core when she makes an unexpected re-appearance.
The reasons for her return are being kept closely under wraps but The Sun can confirm that Tracy Ann has already begun filming.
Speaking about heading back to the BBC show, the popular TV star said: “Chrissie Watts was such a great character to play – a victim or a villain.
“She is a real fan favourite so, when Chris Clenshaw asked me to come back and re-visit her and see what has happened in the last 19 years, I jumped at the chance.
“The scripts are fantastic and I hope the viewers enjoy her as much as I am enjoying playing her again.”
Chris Clenshaw, the BBC soap’s boss, went on to add: “I’m delighted to welcome the immensely talented Tracy-Ann back to the iconic role of Chrissie Watts.
“Although the character hasn’t been seen on screen for almost twenty years, Chrissie is cemented in EastEnders’ rich history for her murder of Walford’s most infamous villain, and Sharon’s beloved father, Dirty Den.
“I’m keeping tight-lipped on the exact circumstances relating to her return for the time being, but what I can promise is that it’s never quiet when Chrissie Watts is around.”
It comes after EastEnders teased there would be a slew of character returns ahead of the show’s 40th anniversary.
Chris teased: “As we head towards our 40th year, I think the nostalgic element means a lot.
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“Into the autumn and the end of the year, we’ve got quite a few treats coming up.”
Asked if that meant a return for long-departed characters, Chris replied: “Maybe. It all depends on the story and where the characters are.
“But it has to come from character, it has to come from story.”
There has already been a back-from-the-dead return for Cindy, played by Michelle Collins, who had actually been living in France with Ian (Adam Woodyatt).
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Other ex-cast members re-appeared for Dot Cotton’s funeral on 2022.
Jacqueline Jossa was among those who returned and she has remained on the soap, which is riding high since its murder whodunnit storyline The Six last year.
EastEnders facts and figures
THE beloved British soap has been captivating audiences for decades.
EastEnders follows the lives of the residents of Walford as they navigate love, loss, family drama, and community struggles.
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