John Partridge is to return to ‘EastEnders’ for its 30th anniversary.
The 43-year-old star has confessed he will reprise his role as Christian Clarke during the BBC One soap’s week of live and semi-live episodes next month.
Christian will return for his sister Jane Beale’s (Laurie Brett) wedding to ex-husband Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) following a brief appearance for Lucy Beale’s (Hetti Bywater) funeral last year.
He told Digital Spy: "I am honoured to be returning to ‘EastEnders’ at this most exciting time to celebrate 30 years, and more importantly to find out who killed Lucy."
Christian left Walford with partner Syed Masood (Marc Elliott) in 2012 and John previously claimed he was too busy caring for his mother, who suffers from Alzheimer’s, to return.
However, with the killer of his on-screen niece set to be revealed during the soap’s celebrations of 30 years on air, John appears to have felt it was only right for him to be involved.
Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins explained: "How could Jane get married to Ian without her brother there?
"Johnny Partridge and Christian Clarke are loved by the audience and his ‘EastEnders’ family, and we are all thrilled to have him back for our anniversary. And we’ll be putting Johnny’s extensive theatre experience to good use, as he is plunged into EastEnders’ live week."
John is not the only former cast member set to make a surprise return however as Barbara Windsor and Jo Joyner will also be reprising their popular roles as Peggy Mitchell and Tanya Branning respectively.
John Partridge returning to EastEnders
