Lucy Benjamin set for bombshell EastEnders return as Lisa Fowler

Lucy Benjamin is set to return to EastEnders as Lisa Fowler more than 20 years after her character shot Phil Mitchell.

The actress, 52, will make a Walford comeback with her granddaughter Peggy in tow.

Lisa’s return is set to cause trouble for Peggy’s father Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) when he is shocked by their presence.

Soap star Lisa was last on the BBC soap for a short time four years ago when she fell pregnant by Keanu, with Lisa’s ex Phil (Steve McFadden) discovering Keanu was also having an affair with his wife Sharon (Letitia Dean) at the time.

Lucy told the Mirror: ‘I can’t wait to return as Lisa after leaving for Portugal with Louise and Peggy in 2019.

Back with a bang! Lucy Benjamin, 52, is set to return to EastEnders as Lisa Fowler more than 20 years after her character shot Phil Mitchell

Woes: Lisa was on EastEnders in 2019 when she fell pregnant by Keanu (Danny Walters), with Lisa’s ex Phil (Steve McFadden, centre) learning Keanu was having an affair with wife Sharon (Letitia Dean, left)

‘No doubt, in true Lisa fashion, she will bring plenty of drama for many of the characters, which is why playing her is such a delight.’

In 2019, during Lisa’s brief return, her character Lisa helped her daughter flee Albert Square for Portugal after she became convinced she was responsible for Keanu’s murder.

However, while Keanu did not die, it was actually Phil to tried to see him off after Keanu got both his wife and daughter pregnant.

Lisa and Louise have since been living with Phil’s granddaughter Peggy in the Portuguese sun and Louise has remained unaware Keanu is actually alive.

It comes after it emerged Michelle Collins is returning to EastEnders 25 years after her character was killed off. 

The 60-year-old actress starred as Cindy Beale on the BBC soap opera from 1988 until 1998 and is reportedly due to make a return to screens along with her on-screen husband Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), who is also heading back to the soap after a two-year break.

Cindy’s return will come as a surprise for most as the character was said to have died in childbirth off-screen whilst serving time in prison for attempted murder. 

A source told The Sun: ‘This has been done so secretively but it’s going to be an absolute bombshell — an unbelievable twist.  

Back with a bang: Michelle Collins, 60, is returning to EastEnders 25 years after her character was killed off (Michelle pictured in 1989 as her character Cindy Beale alongside Adam Woodyatt, who played Ian Beale)

Comeback: The actress starred as Cindy Beale on the BBC soap opera from 1988 until 1998 and is reportedly due to make a return to screens (pictured this month)

Big return: Michelle is reportedly due to make a return to screens along with her on-screen husband Ian Beale, played by Adam Woodyatt (pictured last month)

‘Ian and Cindy are one of the most memorable couples in soap history.  

‘But Cindy has been dead for 25 years — and nobody will see this coming. 

‘The biggest surprise is that Michelle has so often said there’s no chance she’d come back.’

Since her time on Albert Square, Michelle has carved out a successful career on both stage and screen, having enjoyed a stint as Rovers Return landlady Stella Price in rival soap opera Coronation Street and has appeared in stage productions of musicals such as Thoroughly Modern Millie and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.