Tracy-Ann Oberman set to reprise her role as Chrissie Watts as she returns to EastEnders almost 20 years after being sent to prison for the infamous murder of her husband ‘Dirty’ Den

Tracy-Ann Oberman is set to return to EastEnders after almost two decades, to reprise her role as the infamous Chrissie Watts.

The actress, 57, has begun filming for her return to Albert Square this autumn, which is sure to send shockwaves across Walford.

Chrissie was last seen on the BBC soap in December 2005, when was sent to prison for the murder of her husband Den Watts, played by Lesley Grantham.

She had first joined the soap in April 2004 and quickly became a prominent figure and racking up a huge list of enemies, including Kate Mitchell (Jill Halfpenny) and Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace).

But her biggest storyline saw her bludgeon ‘Dirty Den’ to death in self-defence in the show’s special 20th anniversary episode.

Chrissie was last seen on the BBC soap in December 2005 (pictured), when was sent to prison for the murder of her husband Den Watts, played by Lesley Grantham

The infamous moment was watched by a staggering 14.34 million people, with almost 60% of possible viewers’ tuning in.

Alongside Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) and Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan), Chrissie attempted to cover up the murder, burying Den under the floor of The Vic barrel store.

She managed to get away with her crime for months, living with Den’s beloved adoptive daughter, Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean), and his son Dennis Rickman (Nigel Harman). 

But when Sam drunkenly dug up the body, she was held responsible for the murder until Phil (Steve McFadden) and Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) returned to help their sister and uncovered the truth, with Chrissie being sent to prison.

Speaking about her return to the soap, Tracy-Ann gushed: ‘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.’

While executive producer Chris Clenshaw said: ‘I’m delighted to welcome the immensely talented Tracy-Ann back to the iconic role of Chrissie Watts. 

The actress, 57, has begun filming for her return to Albert Square this autumn, which is sure to send shockwaves across Walford

Chrissie first joined the soap in April 2004 and quickly became a prominent figure, with her biggest storyline seeing her bludgeon ‘Dirty Den’ to death in the show’s 20th anniversary episode (pictured with Leslie in 2004)

The infamous moment (pictured) was watched by a staggering 14.34 million people, with almost 60% of possible viewers’ tuning in

‘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 Chris teased the soap would see the return of several beloved characters ahead of the 40th anniversary celebrations next year.

EastEnders was created by Julia Smith and Tony Holland and premiered on February 19, 1985.

In recent years, the soap has delighted fans with the returns of Kathy Beale, Cindy and Peter Beale, and Lauren Branning.

And showrunner Chris has teased that more familiar faces will swing by Walford in the lead up to the anniversary. 

He told The Sun: ‘As we head towards our 40th year, I think the nostalgic element means a lot. 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 coyly 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.’

It comes after Chris (pictured) teased the soap would see the return of several beloved characters ahead of the 40th anniversary celebrations next year.

In recent years, the soap has delighted fans with the returns of Kathy Beale, Cindy and Peter Beale (pictured in October), and Lauren Branning 

Jacqueline Jossa (Lauren Branning) also returned, and has since become a permanent fixture once again (pictured in December

On whether he had been planting hints in scripts, he added: ‘It would depend when they’re looking back from, but probably. 

‘The 40th has been in the works for quite some time and Christmas is well under way. In the story office there is a board and it all connects. I compare it to a tapestry board, everything has to fit together.’

Several ex-cast members previously returned for Dot Cotton’s funeral on 2022, including Colin Russell (Lord Michael Cashman CBE), Barry Clark (Gary Hailes) George ‘Lofty’ Holloway (Tom Watt), Mary ‘the punk’ Smith (Linda Davidson) and Disa O’Brien (Jan Graveson).