Bianca brings her usual brand of chaos as she returns to Walford (Picture: BBC)
EastEnders is rolling out another big name character return, as the legend that is Bianca Jackson is on her way back to our screens, with Patsy Palmer set to reprise her iconic role for a short stint this spring.
The big comeback comes following the news that Bianca’s step-daughter Whitney Dean is leaving Walford, after Shona McGarty quit the soap after 15 dramatic – and mostly traumatic – years for her alter-ego.
Pulling out all the stops for the final storyline of such a beloved character, it feels fitting for EastEnders to sign up Pasty, who last visited the Square in 2019, to be involved.
And the actress herself is equally delighted, saying: ‘I’m so excited to be reprising the role of Bianca. EastEnders holds such a special place in my heart so it’s always a pleasure to be back.’
Chris Clenshaw, Executive Producer added: ‘I’m thrilled to welcome the fabulous Patsy back to the iconic role of Bianca Jackson.
‘Although the character was last seen on-screen in 2019, Bianca still remains a fan favourite.
‘We know our audiences will be thrilled at her return as she is thrust into the heart of the drama alongside step-daughter Whitney.’
Expect tears and madness for Whitney’s final storyline (Picture: BBC)
Patsy Palmer says she is excited to reprise her role (Picture: BBC)
Bianca’s return will premiere in a special episode focusing on Whitney and the drama she faces when she and partner Zack Hudson (James Farrar) pay a visit to Milton Keynes.
The details of the storyline are yet to be revealed, but EastEnders have gone as far to confirm that chaos will ensue, which is very apt where Bianca is concerned.
Bianca first landed on our screens in 1993 as the fiery, sharp-tongued daughter of Carol Jackson and remains heavily connected to Walford through the Branning family and two of the show’s much-loved characters, step-daughter Whitney and sister Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy).
Over her 13 collective years in Albert Square, Bianca was never far away from drama having been involved in some of the show’s most iconic storylines including the discovery that David Wicks was her dad, her tumultuous relationship with Ricky Butcher and Whitney’s abuse within the family storyline which aired in 2008.
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On screen at the moment, Whitney recently discovered she is pregnant and initially had anxiety and mixed feelings given the ordeal she and Zack endured through the loss of their baby Peach.
The pair have been fostering, and proven naturals at it. Shona, who is also a very talented singer, recently confided the reasons behind her decision to step back from the role that made her a household name, keen to tackle other roles.
Speaking to Inside Soap, she said: ‘It’s going to be the end of an era, or an earring, as the EastEnders saying goes,’ referencing the phrase coined by Pat Butcher star Pam St Clement ahead of her 2012 exit.
We last saw Bianca four years ago (Picture: BBC)
Shona made her debut as part of Bianca’s brood 15 years ago (Picture: BBC)
‘I’ve loved my time in Walford, but with the character of Whitney, bless her, she’s had some awful things happen to her, and I think she needs a break.’
This leaves us wondering if Whitney will return in the future, and Shona certainly isn’t ruling it out.
‘The door’s open and I could always come back in the future. But at the moment, I want to pursue things that are in my heart, like singing — stuff that I’ve been doing since childhood and dreaming about.
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‘EastEnders has been amazing; I just want to do other things.’
Patsy is back filming as Bianca already and the episodes will air this spring.
Over recent years, EastEnders has welcomed back significant cast members such as Michelle Collins (Cindy Beale), Jacqueline Jossa (Lauren Branning), Kim Medcalf (Sam Mitchell), Lucy Benjamin (Lisa Fowler), Adam Woodyatt (Ian Beale), Thomas Law (Peter Beale), Angela Wynter (Yolande Trueman), Matt Di Angelo (Dean Wicks), and even a fleeting appearance from Rita Simons (Roxy Mitchell).
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Back with a bang – and chaos follows in a very special episode.