EastEnders is set to celebrate its 40th anniversary in February, and the BBC soap has a number of stars returning and leaving to mark the huge milestone

The 40th anniversary of BBC soap EastEnders is fast approaching in February, signalling some major drama on the horizon for Albert Square.

Hints about what’s to come have already started to emerge, including a live episode where viewers will get to determine the outcome of a love triangle plot involving Denise Fox (Diane Parish), Jack Branning (Scott Malsen) and Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara).

In line with the popular soap marking four decades on air, there will also be a mix of characters returning and leaving. Here, we delve into the confirmed arrivals and departures set to shake up EastEnders, as well as those rumoured to be making a return.

Stacey Slater

Stacey Slater will be leaving Walford later this year (Image: BBC)

One character set to bid farewell to Walford at some point in 2025 is Stacey Slater, portrayed by actress Lacey Turner, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Details about Stacey’s exit are yet to be revealed by the soap’s bosses, but Lacey has announced she’s expecting her third child with husband Matt, indicating she’ll soon be taking maternity leave.

Stacey has been left devastated after her dreams of rekindling her relationship with ex Martin Fowler (James Bye) were dashed following the reappearance of his former flame Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton). Could her departure from Albert Square be linked to Martin and Ruby’s reunion?

Grant Mitchell

Ross Kemp is returning as Grant Mitchell (Image: Daily Mirror)

It’s the announcement every EastEnders fan has been eagerly anticipating, and the soap has finally confirmed that Grant Mitchell is set to return to Walford.

Ross Kemp is set to make a sensational return to EastEnders as Grant, Phil’s hardman brother, in a move that’s sure to shake up the Square during the soap’s 40th-anniversary celebrations. While the plot details of Grant’s comeback are being kept hush-hush, with Phil in turmoil, new Mitchells stirring trouble, and Nigel Bates back in town, fans can expect fireworks.

On his explosive return, Ross Kemp declared: “I’m delighted to be returning to EastEnders as the show heads towards its 40th anniversary. EastEnders has always meant so much to me, so to return as the show is about to celebrate such a special anniversary, is an absolute honour. Grant has never been far from the action and let’s just say, this time is no different as he certainly comes back with a bang.”

Shirley Carter

Shirley Carter exited EastEnders in 2022(Image: BBC)

After the tragic demise of her son Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) post-Christmas 2022, Shirley Carter waved goodbye to Walford to join her daughter Carly Wicks, leaving behind her tumultuous life in London.

Linda Henry’s character Shirley has been a topic of conversation on the show, particularly since her wayward son Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo) made a fleeting return to the Square.

Dean spread rumours that Shirley had suffered a mental breakdown and was hospitalised, though it was never confirmed if his words held any truth. Attempts by Shirley’s daughter-in-law Linda (Kellie Bright) to reach out were met with silence, adding to the mystery surrounding Shirley’s whereabouts.

The return date for Shirley to Albert Square remains under wraps, but it’s been confirmed that Linda Henry, the actress behind the beloved character, hasn’t bid farewell to the BBC soap permanently. The BBC spilled the beans to RadioTimes following Shirley’s departure from the show.

In Autumn 2023, Chris Clenshaw dished to the same publication: “So, Linda Henry is currently taking a break from the show. But you know, when she walked off with Lady Di last year, in the wake of Mick’s disappearance, it won’t have been the last you see of her. I can say that for sure.”

Sonia Fowler

Sonia will soon return to EastEnders(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Currently, Sonia finds herself behind bars, wrongfully accused of murdering her boyfriend Reiss’ (Jonny Freeman) comatose wife Debbie. Although the audience is aware that Reiss is the ‘true’ culprit, Sonia has yet to discover this, and her name has not been cleared.

Natalie Cassidy’s character, Sonia, is set to make a comeback in forthcoming episodes, after being largely absent from our screens since her incarceration. Sonia’s murder trial will unfold on-screen, where she’ll assert her innocence, and more turmoil is expected between her and Reiss.

Adding to the tension, Sonia is pregnant with Reiss’ child and is expected to give birth during EastEnders’ monumental 40th-anniversary celebrations in February.

Natalie has spilled the beans on her alter ego’s state of mind as her trial looms. She told reporters: “She absolutely cannot believe it, especially when Reiss has been let off because he has an alibi. I think it happens so quickly and in a flash that she’s just desperately scared about the baby and the impact this level of stress and trauma will have on a pregnancy that’s so fragile.”

She’s petrified at the thought: “That’s her main concern, losing her baby or having her baby and them taking it away, like what happened with Bex. She’s worried that history is going to repeat itself.”

Bianca Jackson

Bianca’s fate remains uncertain (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Meanwhile, Bianca Jackson a familiar face to EastEnders aficionados has been MIA, stuck in a storage unit for more than a month now. Patsy Palmer’s character Bianca got into hot water after discovering Reiss’ deadly secret, resulting in him trapping her in the unit.

Bianca hasn’t shown her face since not even for the festive shenanigans in Walford. What’s next for her remains under wraps, and it doesn’t look like she’ll be popping back up on our screens anytime soon.

In the pipeline, Sonia faces the music in court at her murder trial. Although she told Reiss she needed Bianca there for moral support, chances are slim that she’ll make an appearance. Is it possible that villainous Reiss has silenced Bianca for good?

EastEnders saw the return of Patsy Palmer in 2024, initially woven into the departure plot of Whitney Dean, played by Shona McGarty. Palmer’s encore wasn’t just a fleeting visit, as she was also on a quest to find her sister Sonia.

EastEnders airs Monday – Thursday on BBC One at 7.30pm. Episodes are available to stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer.