EastEnder’s Matt Di Angelo is set to make a surprise return as Dean Wicks, with plans to stick around on the square, the BBC confirmed.
The actor, 36, is known for his horror storyline when his character Dean raped Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) seven years ago.
And now the star is returning to Albert Square as the Beales’ new business partner.
To Linda’s shock upon his return, it is certain the drama will unfold between him and Linda’s family and friends.
Dean is back in Walford to help his daughter Jade, who has cystic fibrosis and is receiving treatment and awaiting a life-saving lung transplant.
He’s back: EastEnder’s Matt Di Angelo, 36, is set to make a surprise return as Dean Wicks, with plans to stick around on the square, the BBC confirmed
Comeback: Matt left the show in epic style (pictured) after being acquitted of the rape of former Walford resident Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons) and is now believed to be returning in time for a dramatic Christmas storyline
Horrifying: The actor is known for his horror storyline when his character Dean raped Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) seven years ago (pictured in 2014)
Speaking about his exciting new comeback, Matt said: ‘It feels great to be back. I started at EastEnders almost 18 years ago, which seems like a lifetime ago now.
‘I haven’t been back for seven years, so I was thrilled to be asked again for the third time as I love the people and the show.’
On deciding whether it was the right time to return, he added: ‘It felt like the right time for me, but also for Dean. When Mick was alive, Dean wouldn’t have dared to come back to the Square because there’s no way Mick would have stood for it.
‘Rightly so, because what Dean did to Linda is unforgivable and even his parents Shirley and Buster turned their backs on him. But now Mick’s dead, I think it’s opened up that door to allow Dean to return as Linda doesn’t have him there to back her up.
‘Without Mick, Dean can twist the narrative, and he has more chance of getting away with it.’
Dean raped Linda in the Queen Vic pub in 2014 which lead to her breaking down and recounting her horrific ordeal to husband Mick (Danny Dyer) on Christmas Day that year.
Without giving too much information away, Dean teased: ‘We know that Linda is involved in the Christmas storyline, and we also know that most people in the Square would like to see the back of Dean.
‘But everyone is going to have to wait to find out if Dean’s the body on The Vic floor because I’m not giving away any clues!’
Drama: Soap fans are correct after they have been speculating Dean would make a comeback after EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw teased a gripping Halloween storyline for Linda Carter (Kellie Bright, pictured)
Gripping: Elsewhere, EastEnders previously aired a flash-forward scene of this year’s Christmas Day episode which showed Walford’s leading ladies standing over a dead man (L-R: Stacey (Lacey Turner), Suki (Balvinder Sopal), Linda (Kellie Bright), Sharon (Letitia Dean), Denise (Diane Parish) and Kathy (Gillian Taylforth) pictured)
Last week, Matt was seen for the first time since rumours speculated his return to Albert Square.
The actor, 36, who last appeared on the BBC soap in 2016, cut a casual figure as he left the gym following a work out in London.
Matt donned a grey Nike sweater which he teamed with a pair of baggy tan trousers and comfy trainers.
He was spotted as he hopped into his car after building up a sweat and carrying his reusable water bottle.
