He's back!
It was an emotional episode of EastEnders this evening (1st December) as Dot Branning sadly passed away, but there was also a lighter tone as Ricky Butcher (played by Sid Owen) returned to the BBC soap.
The action was largely centred around the Christmas lights party at The Vic, with Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) determined to cement her relationship with Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) at any cost, but she got a blow from bridesmaid Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy).
The nurse revealed she knew all about Janine's secret and while the minxy villain attempted to bring Sonia down, our Sonia remained firm, leaving Janine well and truly panicked.
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But she was to get one more shock before going to talk to Mick - her brother Ricky is back.
It isn't long before he gets an earful from Janine about Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), and he admits Sonia called him because she's worried about Janine.
Perhaps more interestingly, Ricky set about reacquainting himself with familiar faces in The Vic, including first love Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) who he famously eloped with as a teen before their eventual split.
Is there still unfinished business between them? And with Sam looking for a man, hearing Ricky's business is doing well in Germany will certainly turn her head a little...
But nevertheless, the main drama of the episode centred around Sonia and the devastating call she got which revealed Dot had died.
As the Square comes to terms with the news, what will the future bring for Sonia, Ricky, and of course, Janine?
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Helen Daly is the Associate Editor for Radio Times, overseeing new initiatives and commercial projects for the brand. She was previously Deputy TV Editor at a national publication. She has a BA in English Literature and an MA in Media & Journalism from Newcastle University.
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