Rickaaaay! She’s back!
Patsy Palmer is returning to EastEnders, five years after her character Bianca Jackson quit Albert Square.
Bianca will reportedly be reunited with her troubled daughter Tiffany, played by Maisie Smith.
Jon Sen, EastEnders’ executive producer, told The Sun: “When I joined the show in January, bringing Bianca Jackson back to the Square was high on my wish-list. I'm thrilled to announce that Patsy’s agreed to return to reprise her iconic creation in a blistering storyline that will grip fans this autumn.
“There is no one more excited than me to see her step back into Albert Square again. I simply cannot wait.”
Bianca became a soap icon after setting up home in Walford in 1993 and won over viewers with her stand-out fashion choices and her on-off relationship with Ricky Butcher (Sid Jones), which spurned her famous “Rickaaaay” catchphrase.
The pair’s wedding pulled in one of the biggest soap audiences ever with over 20 million fans tuning in.
But she quit Albert Square for a life in Manchester with their son Liam in 1999 after confessing to having an affair with her old flame, and mother Carol’s boyfriend, Dan Sullivan (Craig Fairbrass).
Bianca and Ricky were reunited for special spin-off, EastEnders: Ricky & Bianca, in 2002 before both returning to the soap in 2008 which saw them walk up the aisle for a second time.
Palmer’s character was involved in storylines on abortion, paedophilia, drug dealing and bereavements.
Bianca has four children: Liam, Morgan and Tiffany Butcher as well as Whitney Dean – the daughter of Bianca’s deceased ex Nathan Dean who was first thought to be Tiffany’s father before a DNA result revealed Ricky to be the dad.
Palmer was awarded Best Actress at The British Soap Awards in 2000 for her portrayal of Bianca.
