EastEnders' explosive Cindy Beale comeback is a campy soap triumph

Sadly, despite best efforts, the news that Michelle Collins would be reprising her role as iconic Walford villainess Cindy after 25 years did not remain a surprise after it was leaked in the press.

Yet, the silver lining for the soap was the increased attention to this week's Rose Knight episodes – which were not released early on BBC iPlayer and forced viewers to all watch along together and to enjoy the twists at the same time.

Thankfully, the execution of the Cindy Beale reveal was as camp as Christmas, with her hand displayed with a large glass of white wine by a glamorous poolside as she declined the call from George Knight (Colin Salmon).

As she placed the phone down and lifted up the wine for a sip, we finally saw Cindy's long locks flowing in the breeze with a pensive look on her face just in time for the doof-doof. Instantly iconic.

What has been so great about EastEnders over the last year under executive producer Chris Clenshaw has been the balance of gritty and realistic issue-led stories with the more sensationalist and explosive drama that leans into the more gossip-worthy content.

Now, sensationalistic plots can be difficult to execute and don't always live up to the hype.

Read more:

• EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw promises Cindy Beale resurrection "answers"
• EastEnders' Michelle Collins talks "surreal" return as Cindy Beale after 25 years
• EastEnders' Adam Woodyatt breaks silence on Ian Beale return alongside Cindy
• EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw on “different” Cindy and Ian reunion
• EastEnders' explosive Cindy Beale comeback is a campy soap triumph
• EastEnders' Michelle Collins talks Cindy Beale witness protection story
• EastEnders' Ian Beale has heart attack and keeps huge secret from Cindy
• Will Jacqueline Jossa return full-time to EastEnders as Lauren Branning?
• When are Cindy and Ian Beale returning to EastEnders full-time?
• 15 EastEnders questions we still have after Cindy and Ian Beale's return

A soap return from the dead often relies on love for the character and how believably their comeback is executed. Luckily, Cindy's off-screen death opened the door for her return in the future and the explanations we have here were the most obvious and correct way to bring her back.

The mere presence of Michelle Collins back in EastEnders as one of the most-mentioned figures in the show's history despite her long absence is also a pure treat regardless.

Collins's performance is pure Cindy too. It is giving heightened drama, sly looks, and the sense that the character – albeit now one with even more emotional baggage – is plotting her next move.

The other bold move, of course, was to bring Cindy back with her first husband Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt).

EastEnders is not the same without Ian and the pair's reunion is initially baffling but also humorous and opens the door to further questions and heaps of dramatic potential.

Tying Cindy to the Square's fresh and dynamic new family the Knights as well as the Square's oldest family is also a stroke of genius – her relevance is now greater than ever, despite having lost two of her most dramatic offspring – Lucy and Steven Beale.

The scope for love triangles, furious showdowns, dramatic reunions, and further secrets and lies is just irresistible. Personally speaking, it's Cindy's showdown with Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) that I am thirsting for.

In fact, it's this promise of a well of stories that will fill fans with more hope after Kathy herself was sadly sidelined after her initial resurrection story in 2015.

Additionally, despite Cindy's return leaking, the returns of Peter Beale and Lauren Branning were an epic surprise for long-term viewers with this special episode. It was also a welcome sight to see Thomas Law reprise the role of Peter too, having been one of the most loved incarnations of the character.

While it seems a romantic reunion for Peter and Lauren is not on the cards for now, the characters are another long-term pairing that carries a lot of weight and history with them and it feels right to see them on-screen together.

It's about time for the Beale family – EastEnders' first major family – to be back at the centre of the show and it will give so much dramatic material for the iconic Gillian Taylforth and the understated talent of Clay Milner Russell (who plays Bobby Beale) to sink their teeth into.

So, as we now wait with keen anticipation for Cindy to be back on our screens with Ian full-time, we can't help but buzz with the possibilities.

Ultimately, right now, EastEnders has such a reverence for its past, a focus on its eventful present, and an expertly mapped-out view of the future – its modern renaissance continues.

Read more:

• EastEnders cast: Who is joining, leaving and returning to the soap?
• EastEnders’ Heather Peace on whether Eve could kill Nish: ‘Anyone does anything if pushed’
• EastEnders’ Heather Peace hints that Eve and Suki’s big break-up isn’t the end
• EastEnders boss wants to keep Linda Carter as "heart of the Square"
• EastEnders' Danny Walters worried for Keanu in Christmas flash-forward
• EastEnders' Jamie Borthwick promises Lola "gets the send off she deserves"
• EastEnders' George Knight proposes to Elaine and reveals mystery son
• EastEnders' Colin Salmon on personal reason he took George Knight role
• EastEnders' Kellie Bright fears "everlasting" Linda and Sharon feud
• EastEnders star Kellie Bright: "The show needed a Harriet Thorpe"
• EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw explains the “Knight in Shining Armour”
• Sam Mitchell to return to EastEnders ‘before the autumn’ after surprise exit

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and from 6am on BBC iPlayer. Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. If you’re looking for more to watch, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide.

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