EastEnders legend Patsy Palmer has been snapped near the EastEnders studios sparking rumours of a return to the BBC soap as Bianca Jackson in the coming months.
EastEnders icon Patsy Palmer has been spotted in London, fuelling speculation that she’s returning to the BBC One soap. The 52-year-old actress, who has portrayed the outspoken Bianca Jackson intermittently since 1993, recently returned for Whitney Dean’s (Shona McGarty) departure.
Patsy reprised her role as Bianca in February 2024 after a five-year break from the popular soap. Her character’s much-anticipated return to Albert Square followed Whitney’s illegal fostering of a child from Bianca’s estate in Milton Keynes.
However, upon discovering that her stepmother Bianca was aware of Zack Hudson’s (James Farrar) infidelity with Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa), Whitney left the Square, leaving Bianca alone.
Bianca also had a confrontation with accountant Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman) before admitting to Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) that she had been battling depression for several months.
Audiences saw Bianca warn Reiss that she was onto his secret theft of his comatose wife Debbie’s money to finance his and her sister Sonia’s (Natalie Cassidy) IVF treatment.
Bianca then disappeared in her taco van and hasn’t been seen since.
Meanwhile, Reiss has murdered his comatose wife Debbie as his financial woes escalated.
Sonia remains oblivious to Reiss’ deception, but will Bianca come back to assist her pregnant sister?
According to The Sun, Patsy has been photographed near the EastEnders studios, sparking rumours that her stint in Walford as Bianca isn’t over yet.
Bianca’s probable return follows the recent confirmation of her screen father’s comeback, in the lead-up to EastEnders’ 40th anniversary in February 2025, reports the Daily Star.
Michael French is gearing up to play David Wicks once again for a brief period. David first stepped into the Square back in 1993 and has spent a total of four years there.
He was last seen in Walford following the demise of his adversary Derek Branning (Jamie Foreman) in 2013. Additionally, David made attempts to rekindle his romance with former love interest Carol Jackson (Lindsey Coulson), Bianca’s mother and Derek’s sister.
However, fate had other plans as he left Walford alone after Carol ended their relationship when his absence at their wedding was due to an unexpected heart attack.
Commenting on his reappearance, Michael French enthused: “I feel honoured to be asked to reprise the role of David Wicks once again. It may only be a brief visit, but we know from his past that David never fails to create a lot of drama in a very short time.”
The show also recently welcomed Laurie Brett back as Jane Beale, and Tracy-Ann Oberman is confirmed to reprise her role as Chrissie Watts. But wait, there’s more!
In a chat with The Sun, Boss Chris Clenshaw hinted at the nostalgic significance of the show’s upcoming 40th year saying: “As we head towards our 40th year, I think the nostalgic element means a lot.”
