Former EastEnders star Hannah Waterman is staging a big soap comeback – but she’s not returning to Walford.

The actress is best known for playing Ian Beale’s (Adam Woodyatt) third wife Laura Beale in the BBC soap from 2000 to 2004.

She is now swapping Albert Square for Summer Bay after landing a role in Home and Away.

The Sun reports that Hannah, who now lives in Australia with husband Huw Higginson, will appear as a magistrate in forthcoming scenes of the Aussie soap.

A source said: ‘She loved dipping her toes back into the world of soap briefly and who knows it could mean she finds her way back more permanently.’

Hannah left her role as Laura in EastEnders 20 years ago, with her character meeting a grisly end. 

She fell down the stairs after a row with Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks), who was later charged with her murder. 

Following her death, Laura’s estranged husband Ian discovered that he was the father of her son Bobby. 

During her time on EastEnders, Hannah met her first husband Ricky Groves, who played Garry Hobbs. 

The pair married in 2006 before splitting in 2010.

Hannah, who is the daughter of acting veteran Dennis Waterman, later popped up in an episode of Doctors in 2013. 

The star emigrated to Australia over a decade ago after meeting partner Huw, best known for playing PC George Garfield in The Bill from 1989 to 1999.

The couple tied the knot in 2022 and also have a son, who was born in 2011. 

Home & Away is currently on a break and will return to Channel 5 and 5STAR On Monday 6 January 2025.