Patsy Palmer sparks EastEnders return rumours

Patsy Palmer has sparked speculation she may be returning to Albert Square again after she was pictured near the EastEnders set this week.

The actress, 52, who is known for playing Bianca Jackson on the long-running soap, made a brief appearance on the show earlier this year.

However, these new pictures suggest she may be returning for a longer stint ahead of the soap’s 40th anniversary next year.

Patsy recently reprised her role as Bianca for a short period for her on-screen daughter Shona McGarty’s exit from the show.

Bianca followed her daughter Whitney [Shona] back to Walford, however Whitney soon decided to up sticks and move away.

Bianca remained in the Square with her sister Sonia and her partner Reiss but after clashing with them she decided to leave again. 

During emotional scenes ahead of her exit, she confessed to Kat Slater [Jessie Wallace] that she had been dealing with depression.

Viewers watched Bianca get behind the wheel of her van drunk, after vowing to create a life for herself somewhere else.

Before her exit, Bianca told Reiss she knew he had stolen money from his comatosed wife Debbie to fund his IVF treatment with Sonia.

Since then, Reiss has murdered Debbie and Sonia is nonthewiser that she is expecting a baby with a killer. 

So Bianca may be back to expose Reiss or hopefully not become his next victim.

Other stars set to return for the anniversary include David Wicks [Michael French[] and Chrissie Watts [Tracy-Ann Oberman].

Boss Chris Clenshaw told The Sun: ‘As we head towards our 40th year, I think the nostalgic element means a lot.

‘Into the autumn and the end of the year, we’ve got quite a few treats coming up.’

Asked if that meant a return for some favourite characters, Chris replied: ‘Maybe. It all depends on the story and where the characters are.

‘But it has to come from character, it has to come from story.’