Iconic EastEnders star set for return 20 years after leaving the BBC soap
Iconic EastEnders actress Michelle Ryan is set to return to the BBC soap 20 years after her departure from Albert Square.
Ryan played the role of Zoe Slater on the soap from 2000 to 2005.
During her time on EastEnders, Ryan's character was involved in one of the most explosive and iconic moments in the soap's history.
Involved in a heated argument with Kat Slater (played by Jessie Wallace), Zoe yelled: 'You can't tell me what to do. You ain't my mother.'
To which Kat famously replied: 'Yes I am!'
Michelle Ryan (pictured left) was involved in one of the most iconic moments in EastEnders history. (Image: BBC) Ryan's character Zoe left the show in 2005, moving away to start a new life in Ibiza after being wrongly made to believe she had killed Den Watts.
EastEnders fans had hoped Ryan, and her character Zoe, would return for the 40th anniversary special in February.
While she didn't appear in the anniversary special earlier this year, reports are that Ryan is set to return to EastEnders 20 years after leaving the BBC soap.
A source, speaking to The Sun, said: 'Bosses have repeatedly reached out to Michelle over the years, but the timing has never been quite right.
'People are still talking about her character, so it's a real coup to bring her back.
'She feels like now is the perfect moment — and there was an exciting script on the table.'
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The BBC offered "no comment" when asked about reports of Ryan's return to EastEnders.
Since leaving EastEnders, Ryan has gone on to appear in several other TV shows and films, including Death in Paradise (Lexi Cunningham), Bionic Woman (Jaime Sommers), Cockneys vs Zombies (Katy) and Cleanskin (Emma).
EastEnders airs every Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One or you can watch episodes on BBC iPlayer from 6am.
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