EASTENDERS fans pleaded with bosses to bring back an iconic character for the soap’s upcoming 40th anniversary.
There has been much speculation about some big returns for the BBC soap’s anniversary in February 2025.
Fans want to see Lisa Fowler return for the soap’s milestone birthday[/caption]
She is currently living in Portugal with her daughter Louise and granddaughter Peggy[/caption]
With big names like Chrissie Watts and David Wicks already returned this year, there are some even bigger names in the works for next year.
Now fans are begging soap bosses to bring back Lisa Fowler – played by Lucy Benjamin.
Lisa is the daughter of Johnathan and Eleanor Shaw, but most notably the wife of Mark Fowler and mother of Louise Mitchell.
She first appeared as a trainee market inspector in 1998.
Her first big storyline involved her married boss starting an affair with her.
Since then, she has rekindled a romance with Phil, left her husband Mark and took her daughter from Phil.
Her last appearance in 2020 saw Lisa help Louise flee to Portugal after Louise believed she had killed Keanu.
Lisa’s returned to Albert Square in 2023 where she became Peggy’s legal guardian after Louise went off the rails.
Could she make another comeback?
Taking to Reddit, one fan said: “I am expecting a cameo from Lisa at some point. She has done several short stint returns that it would seem odd if she didn’t make an appearance.”
Another added: “Lisa was a character that I wanted to shake and tell her to get her act together.”
A third penned: “Every time she’s returned for a stint, I think oh jeez this will be heavy-going.”
This comes after the sun exclusively revealed that Ross Kemp is returning for the soap’s 40th anniversary.
The star, 60, who played hardman Grant Mitchell, will present a special one-off BBC1 documentary about the long-running show.
Forgotten soap storylines
The nation’s soaps have had many gripping storylines play out over the years. However, some plots proved to be far less memorable. Here are some forgotten stories from Weatherfield, Walford and more…
- Ken and Audrey’s romance (2015): After the death of wife Deirdre (Anne Kirkbride), Coronation Street original Ken Barlow (William Roache) started to move on in his life. He started to develop a spark with old friend Audrey (Sue Nicholls), with then-Corrie boss saying it would be like “Ross and Rachel”. In the end, nothing ever came of it and the two remained platonic pals.
- Beth’s bigamy (2016): Despite being happily married to Kirk (Andrew Whyment), a troubling secret came to light about Beth Tinker (Lisa George). It transpired that she had never divorced from her first husband, Darryl (Paul Loughran), father of her son Craig (Colson Smith). Although Craig and Kirk were shocked – and Beth was arrested – the storyline didn’t didn’t go much further.
- Kat Slater’s secret son (2017): Capitalising on the popularity of Kat (Jessie Wallace) and Alfie (Shane Richie), the two received a spin-off back in 2017. Titled ‘Redwater’, it saw the two travel to Ireland where they met long-lost son Luke, now called Dermott Dolan, played by Oisín Stack. Despite the high-tension events during Redwater, Kat seems to have put the experience behind her as Dermott’s not been mentioned since.
- Alfie’s brain tumour (2015): Having learned in 2015 that he had a brain tumour, Alfie kept the news from Kat until their trip to Ireland. At the time, actor Shane Ritchie revealed fans would see a change in Alfie as he battled the illness. It would appear that at some point after leaving the Square, was told the tumour was non-malignant. By the time Alfie returned in 2022, fans were left confused over what had happened to the storyline.
- Kathy and Buster’s affair (2016): In 2016, Walford legend Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) fell into the arms of convict Buster Briggs, played by Karl Howman. Buster was the long-time lover of Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) and fathered both her sons – Mick (Danny Dyer) and Dean (Matt Di Angelo). When Buster left, he begged Kathy to join him, but she refused for the sake of her family. Meanwhile Buster didn’t even stop to say goodbye to Shirley before exiting with a broken heart. Fans expected a showdown between the two women, but this never came to pass.
- Jacob’s OCD (2016): After his dad, David (Matthew Wolfenden), was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2016, Jacob (Joe-Warren Plant) developed Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This manifested in the form of cleaning. Jacob’s OCD made a brief return one year on, after David had another scare after finding a lump. Jacob frantically searched the bins for a “lucky coin” that had accidentally been thrown away. Despite stressful situations – such as being groomed by his teacher Maya, losing his fiancee Leanna to a serial killer, dealing with mum Leyla’s drug addiction, and surviving a stabbing – the condition doesn’t appear to have returned.
- Marlon and Charity’s fling (2003): Few fans would likely remember few will remember the one-night stand between Charity (Emma Atkins) and Marlon (Mark Charnock) in 2003. The pair slept together when Charity was staying with Marlon while still under suspicion for husband Chris’s supposed “murder”.
- Alex Browning’s revenge plot (2014): Fans expected a confrontation when Dr Browning’s son Alex (Ojan Genc) mer stepmum Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe). After all, Mercedes, with Cindy Cunningham (Stephanie Waring) and Lindsey Butterfield (Sophie Austin) had murdered Alex’s dad, double-murderer Dr Paul Browning, after he kidnapped and attacked his new wife. In fact, the soap teased Alex would seek revenge for his father’s death upon arriving. However, he instead gave Cindy’s son Hilton (his half-brother) a life-saving transplant, became his godfather, and leaving the village soon after.
Ross quit Walford in 1999 after nearly a decade before brief returns in 2005 and 2016.
He has since been making a string of hard-hitting factual series.
A source said: “Ross is joining in celebrations by hosting his own EastEnders documentary.
“He will interview stars past and present about why it is so good and how important it is. EastEnders will always have a special place in his heart and he’s really excited.”
Asked about a return to EastEnders last week on This Morning, he said: “I can tell you nothing.”
The star, whose shows include Ross Kemp on Gangs, added: “I wouldn’t have had a career, good or bad, without it.”
Other rumored returns include Matt Di Angelo as Dean Wicks and Louisa Lytton as Ruby Allen.
EastEnders have also announced an epic live episode as part of their 40th anniversary.
The BBC soap will air a completely live instalment from their Walford set as they mark the milestone.
And in a show first for EastEnders, viewers will have the power to control the outcome of a love story.
During the special – which will air in February – fans will take part in a vote during the show.
The cast and crew will then be able to adapt to the outcome chosen by Beeb viewers.
Speaking about the live special, EastEnders’ executive producer Chris Clenshaw said: “The 40th anniversary is a milestone event for EastEnders, and we have been planning this week for a long time to ensure that it’s a week full of drama and surprises.
“In fact, as our regular audience will know, we have already seen the return of familiar faces and have many more nods to our history to come which will all build up to our momentous anniversary week.
“This time, as well as going live, we are adding an extra twist and for the very first time in the history of the show and as a gift to the viewers, we are giving the audience the power to have their say in choosing the outcome of one of our storylines.
“Whilst we’re still keeping the finite details of the 40th close to our chest, I can promise that it will be an unmissable week full of shocking twists that will change Albert Square, and the lives of those who live in it, forever.”
Ross Kemp will present a one-off documentary for the soap’s 40th anniversary[/caption]
Matt Di Angelo is making another return to the soap as Dean Wicks[/caption]
EastEnders is set to welcome back another notorious resident before its 40th anniversary as Louisa Lytton reprises the role of Ruby Allen[/caption]
