EastEnders' Zoe Slater 'to make epic comeback to soap after 20 years'

EastEnders' Michelle Ryan, who played Zoe Slater on the BBC soap, is said to be in "advanced talks" to make a return to Albert Square after 20 years away from Walford.

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EastEnders fans may need to get ready for a major shock, as Michelle Ryan is reportedly set to make a comeback as Zoe Slater in Albert Square. Michelle, 41, originally played the role from 2000 to 2005, starring in 559 episodes and becoming a key figure in one of the soap's most explosive storylines.

Who could forget her iconic confrontation with Kat Slater, played by Jessie Wallace, which culminated in the bombshell revelation: "You ain't my mother!" followed by, "Yes I am!"

Michelle left the show in June 2005, with her character departing for Ibiza after being wrongly accused of killing Den Watts. Now, it's rumored that she'll be returning to the show that launched her career, with a source telling The Sun that bosses have been trying to bring her back for years, but the timing was never right.

Zoe's return is expected to happen sometime in 2025, following the dramatic 40th anniversary events earlier this year, which saw Martin Fowler's exit and Angie Watts' surprise return as a hallucination. Fans had hoped to see Zoe return during the anniversary celebrations, but it seems they'll have to wait a bit longer for her comeback.

"People are still talking about her character, so it's a real coup to bring her back. She feels like now is the perfect moment - and there was an exciting script on the table," a source told The Sun.

Michelle Ryan is tipped to return to EastEnders after 20 years (Image: Instagram)

A spokesperson for the BBC offered "no comment" when asked about the reports of Michelle's return, reports the Mirror.

The latest suggestion of a return comes just over six months after Michelle confirmed she would consider returning to the BBC show.

Speculation was ignited last November when Little Mo Slater actress Kacey Ainsworth shared a photograph on social media and wrote: "Just got back from a lovely dog walk with my friend Kacey. We worked together many moons ago (no pun intended) on Eastenders as sisters. Part of the Slater family."

Asked about a comeback, she replied to one fan: "Never say never," before telling another: "That's for the producers to decide."

Explaining her past decision to not come back, she went on: "That has been the case. Moving forward who knows what could happen.

"I genuinely have no idea. If that changes I would post to let people know."

Michelle played Zoe Slater on the show - the unexpected daughter of Jessie Wallace's Kat Slater (Image: BBC)

Away from EastEnders, Michelle has had a reasonably steady career as she continues to act. She has had roles in Agatha Christie's Marple, Mansfield Park, Death in Paradise and even Doctor Who over the years.

Last week, she posted images of promotional material from the show along with autographed relics, on Instagram with a heartfelt thank you, writing: "Answering fan mail time. Thank you to fans in the US for sending dollars for postage."

She expressed a wish that post reaches its destination safely and urged fans eager for autographs not to wait, suggesting they send their desired pictures to be signed.

"I always hope the letters makes it across the postal systems," she penned. "And to all fans I need to get some new photos printed so if you need the photos sooner rather than later please send images you would like me to sign and I will collect from my agency or they will send on to me."

EastEnders returns tomorrow night at 7.30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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