EastEnders announces Lee and Nancy returns ahead of huge Linda exit story

 "Your jaws will drop when you see the first cliffhanger."

EastEnders has officially announced the return of Nancy and Lee Carter to Albert Square as family matriarch Linda's exit draws near.

Maddy Hill and Danny Hatchard last appeared in a 'what if' episode back in 2024, although they were last in Walford full-time in 2022 and 2020, respectively. But now, they're already on set filming for scenes set to air later this year.

The soap is keeping tight-lipped about how and why they're returning, but executive producer Ben Wadey has tased that after everything that has happened with the family in the last few years, it isn't going to be the smoothest of reunions.

"We are absolutely thrilled to have Maddy and Danny back in Walford, bringing two much-loved pieces of the Carter family back together. And whilst Linda is delighted to have her children all together again, she's got a lot to catch up on," Wadey said in the announcement.

Meanwhile, Hill shared: "I am SO excited to be returning to 'Enders for a short stint and stepping back into Nancy's shoes (or basketball shorts!). I've missed her! I'm especially looking forward to seeing lots of familiar faces and acting alongside my incredible on-screen family."

Hatchard added: "I'm absolutely over the moon to be returning to EastEnders as Lee Carter. Albert Square has always felt like a home away from home, so I'm proper buzzing to be back grafting with the 'Enders family."

I'm quite close to Kellie; she's such a phenomenal actor. And Linda Carter is one of the all-time great EastEnders characters, so losing her is such a big moment for the show, and we wanted to make sure we see Linda at her best in her final few months.

"So we'll be welcoming Lee and Nancy back into the fold for a period – in a story that I guarantee your jaws will drop when you see the first cliffhanger."