Cindy Beale returns to EastEnders next week

The controversial soap character has been living a double life as 'Rose Knight' and little does she know, when she returns to Albert Square - she'll be walking into a nightmare as her two lives collide.

To this day, Cindy remains one of soaps most iconic characters. Famous for her scheming and manipulative behaviour which saw her at the heart of some of EastEnders' most memorable storylines, Cindy will return alongside EastEnders’ longest-standing cast member and former husband, Ian Beale, played by Adam Woodyatt.

During her previous stints in the show between 1988 and 1998, Cindy was never far away from scandal having had countless affairs during her tumultuous relationship with Ian, resulting in the attempt of his murder following their bitter custody battle.

Cindy last appeared on screen in 1998, and viewers were led to believe that she had died off-screen whilst giving birth to her namesake daughter, leaving her children Steven, Lucy, and Peter behind.

Ian left Walford in 2021 after his former best friend and then wife, Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean), tried to poison him alongside Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) as recompense for his involvement in Denny’s death.

However, viewers got a surprise when Ian secretly turned up at Dot’s funeral but were left with more questions when he made a mysterious call and it now transpires this was to Cindy.

Whilst the circumstances relating to her ‘death’, reappearance, and reunion with ex-husband Ian are yet to be revealed, their explosive return is sure to send shockwaves around the Square not least for the Knights who have no idea just where ‘Rose’ has been all these years...