Most of the cast have spent the last 12 month flying the coop but with a whole host of stars returning to EastEnders in the New Year you might be surprised to hear that one actor is hoping they'll extend his stay.
SPOILER ALERT: If you're one of those people who prefers not to know what's coming then we'd suggest you look away now.
Still here?
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Well, as you may or may not have heard Derek Martin is making a bit of an EastEnders comeback, bringing Charlie Slater back to the Square to see Kat and Alife through their last day in The Queen Vic. He was originally supposed to be killed off way back when (2011 to be precise) but bosses decided to give him the 'off to the North of England' treatment instead - a bit like what happens when someone from Fair City goes to Spain or Galway.
Anyway, Derek's had such a good time that he actually wants to come back on a more full-time basis now, telling The Mirror that he "an't help hoping" that he'll get to stick around a while longer.
"It was wonderful to go back after all this time", he told the newspaper. "I got a call saying they wanted me to do an episode for Christmas and it turned out to be three. I walked into the Queen Vic on my first day and it was like I'd never left."
And sure he didn't exactly want to leave when he was written out either: "You know it's part and parcel of the profession to be in and out of work but after thinking Charlie was part of the future of the show, I was shocked," he said. "I simply didn't see it coming."
With Executive Producer Dominic Treadwell Collins taking the show in a different direction next year, could their be room for Charlie Slater at the inn again? "Who knows" Martin said, "If Charlie goes down well this Christmas, maybe it will all become more permanent. Nothing's been said but I can't help hoping."
