Sam’s return certainly ruffles a few feathers – namely Phil’s! (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

EastEnders hasn’t quite been the same without Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) but we needn’t fret any longer as next week sees the nightclub owner stage her long-awaited comeback in dramatic scenes.

The popular character, as viewers will recall, left the Square in April to take a job at a hotel in Spain, much to the dismay of son Ricky Butcher (Frankie Day), who had grown accustomed to having her around.

Sam’s reason for leaving was to make some money for dad-to-be Ricky, assuring him that she would return in due course, with the mother and son duo sharing a heartfelt hug.

A lot has happened in the months since Sam’s departure, with brother Phil (Steve McFadden) having tied the knot with Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace), not to mention Ricky becoming a dad when Lily (Lillia Turner) gave birth to a baby girl.

Sam will find all of this out for herself when she crashes back in Walford next week, with a mystery man pulling up in a van and throwing her out the back door, much to the horror of Phil.

‘It’s typical Sam Mitchell chaos!,’ said actress Kim Medcalf of the scenes in question. ‘Sam is thrown out of the back of a van and collides with Phil. She tries to make a joke about it, as she always does, and tries to brush it off, but we pretty soon find out she’s in a lot of trouble.

Sam is thrown out the back of a van (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

Phil comes to her aid (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

‘Sam’s done her usual trick of taking an easy route, and it’s all gone wrong and backfired on her.’

Having got herself up to her neck in trouble, Sam begs Phil for some help, revealing that she owes a drug boss a lot of money. Phil gives the predicament some thought, much to the dismay of Kat, who is horrified that he’s considering paying off her debts.

What will Phil’s answer be?

Sam confides in Phil that she’s in serious trouble (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

We’ll just have to wait and see but subsequent scenes see Sam wake up on Billy’s (Perry Fenwick) sofa, full of self-pity, having not yet gone to see Ricky and baby Charli.

The nightclub manager wastes little time in trying to speak to Phil once more about her situation, but Phil turns her down. Sam, however, ends up running into drugs boss Camillo, who proves violent as he grabs her by the arm.

‘Sam is really scared and doesn’t know quite how to handle this – she’s completely out of her depth,’ said Kim. ‘Camillo is not a man to be messed with, and that’s why Sam is so scared because there’s no bluffing this one out.’

Gangster Camillo corners Sam (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

Sam’s life is in serious danger (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

Phil races to the recue (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

Kat witnesses the tense showdown and races to get Phil and Billy to help. Realising just how much danger Sam is in, Phil caves, promising to get Camillo his money.

After the dust settles, Sam finally goes to see Ricky, who is hurt and angry to learn that she’s been home several days and didn’t come and visit. Sam, however, is quick to defend herself, assuring Ricky that her troubles are now behind her and therefore she’s ready to prioritise him and Charli.

Ricky isn’t convinced, leaving Sam turning to Stacey (Lacey Turner), hoping she’ll be able to help out. Despite her reservations, Stacey assists and, in emotional scenes, Sam meets her granddaughter Charli.

Ricky receives a huge shock when Sam arrives on his doorstep (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

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‘She’s completely smitten,’ said Kim. ‘I absolutely know that Sam adores Ricky, and she’s proud of him. I think that makes for a lovely relationship between the two of them.

‘If she was just a bit more stable, she would be an amazing mum in many ways. When she sees Charli, she’s just gaga over her. Although she doesn’t like to be called ‘granny’.’

Spurred on to be a better mum and, well, not granny, Sam decides she’s putting down roots and therefore asks Phil for a place to stay so that she can be there for her family.

Sam appeals to Stacey for help as Ricky makes it clear he wants nothing to do with her (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

Can the mother and son duo get their relationship back on track? (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

But after all the trouble she’s brought to his door, will Phil agree? We’ll just have to wait and see, but we couldn’t be more excited about Sam’s comeback and we can’t wait to see what’s in store for her next.

‘The writers and [Executive Producer] Chris Clenshaw are so brilliant at creating that Sam drama,’ concluded star Kim, ‘She never just turns up, instead she’s thrown out of the back of a van!

‘Sam is a joy to play – although she does say things that you read on paper and you think, “Oh my god, really? You are really going to say that, Sam?” But the reason I love this character so deeply is that I don’t think she’s a nasty person. She doesn’t think about things, and she’s got very little filter.

‘She will defend herself, and if someone goes for her or her family, she’ll go for them. She’s strong like that. She’s made some really stupid decisions, but I believe she’s a good person and capable of being really empathetic.’

One to watch: Tuesday November 21 at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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