EastEnders fans were left asking 'is this real' as a familiar face returned to Albert Square. Those tuning in to the BBC One soap on Monday night (February 13) were thrilled to see Ryan Malloy back in Walford - seven years after he was last seen on-screen.
The character, who first appeared in EastEnders, is once again being played by Neil McDermott as he made his comeback during the latest trip to the Square after discovering his 12-year-old daughter, Lily Slater, is pregnant.
Following his departure in 2011, Ryan returned to the Square for a number of surprise appearances. Having last briefly reprised his role in November 2016, when he returned to Walford for Whitney’s wedding to Lee Carter, Ryan has returned after discovering his schoolgirl daughter's pregnancy news from sister Whitney.
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And fans were quick to flock to social media to comment on his comeback. @slqters tweeted: "The fact that i have just witnessed ryan malloy returning to EastEnders in real time?? is this actually real??" @realseanslater echoed: "I still cant believe ryan is in eastenders in 2023, wtf? #EastEnders." @itsmoi_emma said: "Ryan Malloy is back! I'm delighted #EastEnders."
@oxcymel wrote: "Ryan has aged like fine wine. my crush never disappeared #EastEnders." @oxcymel commented: "Ryan has aged like fine wine. my crush never disappeared #EastEnders." @_nadia1611 posted: "RYAN IS BACK OMMMG #EastEnders."@KarenF040383 added: "Well hello Ryan god I've missed that handsome face nice to have it back for a bit #EastEnders."
Neil's return as Ryan will only be for three episodes but it comes at a dramatic time for those closest to him. As already mentioned, Lily has found herself pregnant, age 12, after sleeping with fellow schoolboy Ricky Jnr. A brief 'who's the father' storyline unfolded over Christmas after Stacey was left stunned by the revelation.
Ryan's return also comes after EastEnders is working alongside SOFT UK and Antenatal Results and Choices on a new story which will see his half-sister Whitney, who is currently pregnant, and Zack Hudson's baby diagnosed with Edwards’ Syndrome. Whitney and Zack, played by Shona McGarty and James Farrar, receive the diagnosis in scenes to also air in February when an ultrasound scan identifies a birth defect which prompts further testing.
His return comes as another character's departure has been confirmed. Patsy Kensit has confirmed that her stint on EastEnders has come to an end, despite it being known that her appearance in Walford would be short and sweet. The actress made highly-anticipated debut in the BBC One soap towards the end of last month after it was announced in December that she'd be playing the 'never before seen' mother of Lola Pearce.
Patsy's 'short stint' in EastEnders started when Emma Harding, who abandoned Lola when she was a child, arrived in Walford as her daughter prepared to tie the knot with her boyfriend Jay Brown. The bride-to-be has been diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour last year and realising they had no time to waste, Jay popped the question so he could marry the love of his life.
Lola’s grandad Billy was able to track down Emma at work and, after telling her who he is, he told her that her daughter is getting married today and asked her to come to the wedding. But Emma refused, telling Billy that Loa's "better off without me" before scurrying off.
However, she has since relented and reunited with Lola, who wasn't sure at first, and is determined to make the most of their time together for however long they have left. But while she's still on-screen for now, Patsy took to Instagram to reveal that her stint on the BBC soap was over, posting pictures of herself boarding a flight 'to the heat'.
In the caption of the photo, she also thanked the team at EastEnders for welcoming her into the soap family. "We’re leaving on a jet plane! Don’t know when I’ll be back again…." she penned.
"Cannot thank my amazing cast members at the simply awesome experience I’ve had working on @bbceastenders for being so kind and loving to me. Big thank you to the BBC the producers writers crew and the EE family . Costume makeup AD’s Ang at the help desk.. Jamie and Danielle for making me laugh my arse off everyday. I love you both… Emma Barton.. so so many people…. A new adventure begins."
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