EastEnders has announced that Chrissie Watts will be returning to the soap after almost 20 years away.

After originally playing the iconic character between 2004 and 2005, Tracy-Ann Oberman will be reprising the role for a short stint this autumn.

Chrissie was at the centre of some of the show’s most dramatic stories during her short time on the Square, first arriving in search of her husband Den Watts.

She famously murdered Den in 2005 and covered up the crime with Sam Mitchell and Zoe Slater by burying his body under the floor of The Vic’s barrel store.

While Sam was originally held responsible for the crime, her siblings Phil and Grant returned to the Square to free their sister, and Chrissie was imprisoned for murder.

The details surrounding Chrissie’s explosive return are yet to be revealed, but there are sure to be fireworks when she reappears on screen.

After all, Chrissie made a number of enemies who still reside in Walford, including stepdaughter Sharon and Kat – who was less than pleased that she involved her daughter Zoe in Den’s murder.

Oberman said in a statement: “Chrissie Watts was such a great character to play – a victim or a villain. She is a real fan favourite, so when Chris Clenshaw [executive producer] asked me to come back and re-visit her and see what has happened in the last 19 years, I jumped at the chance.

“The scripts are fantastic and I hope the viewers enjoy her as much as I am enjoying playing her again.”

Clenshaw added: “I’m delighted to welcome the immensely talented Tracy-Ann back to the iconic role of Chrissie Watts. Although the character hasn’t been seen on screen for almost 20 years, Chrissie is cemented in EastEnders’ rich history for her murder of Walford’s most infamous villain, and Sharon’s beloved father, Dirty Den.

“I’m keeping tight-lipped on the exact circumstances relating to her return for the time being, but what I can promise is that it’s never quiet when Chrissie Watts is about.”

This week, Clenshaw teased that the show’s upcoming 40th anniversary could feature the return of classic characters, saying: “Into the autumn and the end of the year, we’ve got quite a few treats coming up.”