See EastEnders’ heartthrob actor Paul Nicholls return as Joe Wicks tonight after 27yrs

The fan favourite EastEnders’ heartthrob Paul Nicholls will make an appearance on tonight’s episode (Thursday, 10 October), reprising his role of Joe Wicks, son of David Wicks

EastEnders’ heartthrob Paul Nicholls is making a triumphant return as Joe Wicks on tonight’s episode (Thursday, 10 October). The beloved character, who is David Wicks’ son, hasn’t been seen on the hit BBC soap since 1997 – that’s 27 years! Fans will be delighted with tonight’s episode as actor Paul appears in a last-minute cameo, ending an already jam-packed week on EastEnders.

While he doesn’t physically set foot on Albert Square, Joe is instead seen in a video call with his dad David Wicks, played by Michael French, who returned to EastEnders this week. Actor Paul bowed out of EastEnders in 1997 as he was known to be battling alcoholism and drug addiction. After managing to beat his substance abuse problems, the actor went on to have a steady career in TV, and last year secured a role in a BBC children’s drama series Phoenix Rise.

**Paul Nicholls has returned to EastEnders in a short cameo as Joe Wicks as he appears on a video call with his on-screen father David Wicks, played by Michael French** (Image: ITV screengrab)

**It comes as David Wicks, played by Michael French, returned to EastEnders this week** (Image: ITV screengrab)

He also had a scene-stealing role in major blockbuster romcom Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. Paul played bad boy Jed, whom Bridget meets on holiday in Thailand, and when he sneaks drugs into her suitcase, he ends up being to blame for her being sent to prison in the film.

Paul’s surprising return to EastEnders comes after his on-screen dad, David, portrayed by Michael French, made his grand return to the BBC One soap this week, ten years after he last graced Walford, having first appeared in 1993. The infamous character burst onto the scene at his dad Pete Beale’s (Peter Dean) funeral and quickly became one of the most recognisable faces on the show.

Known for his womanising ways, David was involved in countless major storylines. His dramatic stint included fathering several children and getting into violent scraps. He even nearly had a fling with Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer), only to find out she was his daughter.

The Walford bad boy also had an affair with his then-wife, Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), which almost led to Ian’s death. Actor Michael French bid farewell to the show in 1996, leaving viewers gutted, reports Manchester Evening News.

**Actors Michael French and Paul Nicholls as David Wicks and Joe Wicks in EastEnders** (Image: BBC)

**Paul Nicholls secured a role in a BBC children’s drama series Phoenix Rise last year** (Image: BBC)

However, the baddie made a triumphant comeback to the soap over a decade later in 2012, before exiting again in 2014. Now, a decade on, David returned to the square this week, arriving to support his daughter Bianca amidst her erratic behaviour and depression diagnosis.

As for the much-anticipated return, actor Michael previously said: “I feel honoured to be asked to reprise the role of David Wicks once again. It may only be a brief visit, but we know from his past that David never fails to create a lot of drama in a very short time.”