The BBC has confirmed that Kim Medcalf is to make a comeback as Sam Mitchell on EastEnders after a break of 17 years.
The character - sister of Phil (Steve McFadden) and Grant (Ross Kemp) - was originally played by Danniella Westbrook between 1990 and 2000 but was recast in 2002 with Medcalf taking over.
Medcalf left the soap in 2005 and since then Sam has made two brief returns to the Square - albeit with Westbrook back in the role, most recently in 2016 for her mother Peggy's (Barbara Windsor) funeral.
"When the BBC approached me last year to reprise the role of Sam I was thrilled," said Medcalf.
"She's a brilliant character and I can't wait to get back in the Square this spring and work with the amazing cast of both familiar and new faces."
Kate Oates, the BBC's head of continuing drama, added: "The Mitchells are one of the most iconic families in soap, and I have long wanted to bring Sam back into the family fold.
"With Phil potentially facing a long spell inside, Sam arrives back in Walford ready to take what she sees as her rightful place in the Mitchell empire.
"But with strong grudges against Kat, Sharon, Jack and Denise, to name but a few, her return is guaranteed to be explosive..."
Sam's return is expected to air later this spring.
Neil Wilkes
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