EastEnders legend Chrissie Watts, played by Tracy-Ann Oberman, is heading back to the soap after 19 years away – and fans have ‘worked out’ the sinister reason why

EastEnders fans have ‘worked out’ the reason for soap legend Chrissie Watts’ return.

This week, it was confirmed that Chrissie (Tracy-Ann Oberman) is heading back to the famous square, nearly 20 years since her explosive exit. Chrissie was a regular on the soap from 2004 until 2005.

As the wife of Dirty Den (Leslie Grantham), Chrissie became a hit with viewers and appeared in 218 episodes. During her stint in Albert Square, Chrissie was the landlady of the Queen Vic and featured in numerous storylines – but she is mostly remembered for killing husband Den.

Chrissie exited the soap in 2015 when she was sent to prison for the murder of Den. But 19 years on, and the soap icon is heading back to Walford later this year for a short stint.

However, ahead of her return, speculation is rife as to what brings her back – and fans reckon it has something to do with enemy Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean).

In 2005, Chrissie was the focus of one of “the programme’s biggest and most high-profile narratives” when she murdered her husband, and Sharon’s dad, Den in self-defence at the end of the special 20th-anniversary episode.

Chrissie, along with Sam Mitchell and Zoe Slater took on evil Den, leading to his violent death. The broadcast was watched by 14.34 million people – with “almost 60% of possible viewers” tuning in to see Chrissie killing Den.

What’s more, Sharon is also involved in The Six storyline at the moment- that saw her and several other Walford ladies, cover up the murder of her fiancée Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) at Christmas.

Now, fans of the soap are convinced Chrissie could be back to expose The Six and take revenge on Sharon. On X, formerly known as Twitter, one person said: “I am predicting a storyline between Sharon and Chrissie and something to do with #TheSix storyline?

“After all, they are both so similar after the deaths of Den and Keanu were very similar.”

A second added: “I reckon Chrissie will be the one to expose the six and take revenge on Sharon!” Someone else penned: “There certainly seems to be some story overlap.”

A fourth mused: “My cruel theory is her and Sharon will eventually see eye to eye and make up. I also think she’s going to have some involvement in the Six storyline with knowing about what happened to Keanu, which could be deadly I fear.”