EastEnders is set to welcome back Chrissie Watts as Tracy-Ann Oberman reprises her iconic role for a short stint 19 years on.
A return almost two decades in the making, Chrissie was introduced in April 2004 as the second wife of original Queen Vic landlord Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) following the publican’s historic comeback.
The character swiftly became a fan favourite and featured in many iconic moments, from hacking off Kate Mitchell’s (Jill Halfpenny) hair when she discovered her affair with Den to being pushed into an open grave by an irate Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor).
Her biggest story, however, saw her cook up an elaborate scheme with Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) and Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) to confront Den, who had antagonised the three women.
The showdown, however, ended in an incredibly dramatic fashion, with Den winding up dead on the floor of the boozer he loved so dear.
Zoe was believed to have delivered the fatal blow but it was actually Chrissie who finished her husband off, smacking him over the skull with Pauline Fowler’s dog-shaped doorstop.
The trio of women buried Den’s body in the barrel store but Sam, who recently staged a comeback to Walford herself, struggled to cope with what they’d done and thus decided to dig up Den’s remains – on Sharon’s (Letitia Dean) wedding day to Dennis Rickman (Nigel Harman).
Phil and Grant Mitchell (Steve McFadden and Ross Kemp) returned to Walford to rescue Sam, who was framed for the murder, and they managed to expose Chrissie in 2005.
Despite not having featured in the soap for 19 years, Chrissie has remained a firm fan-favourite.
What brings her back to Walford remains to be seen but it’s safe to say that she has an enemy or two waiting for her, namely Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace), who will likely hold a grudge over her putting Zoe through hell.
Her biggest nemesis is, of course, Sharon, who will no doubt be seething to see her beloved dad’s murderer back in the Square.
Expect fireworks!
Discussing her historic comeback to EastEnders, Tracy-Ann said: ‘Chrissie Watts was such a great character to play – a victim or a villain. She is a real fan favourite so, when [boss] Chris Clenshaw asked me to come back and re-visit her and see what has happened in the last 19 years, I jumped at the chance.
‘The scripts are fantastic and I hope the viewers enjoy her as much as I am enjoying playing her again.’
EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw, who has restored the BBC One soap to its former glory over the past two years, added: ‘I’m delighted to welcome the immensely talented Tracy-Ann back to the iconic role of Chrissie Watts.
‘Although the character hasn’t been seen on screen for almost twenty years, Chrissie is cemented in EastEnders’ rich history for her murder of Walford’s most infamous villain, and Sharon’s beloved father, Dirty Den.
‘I’m keeping tight-lipped on the exact circumstances relating to her return for the time being, but what I can promise is that it’s never quiet when Chrissie Watts is around.’
Tracy-Ann has already started filming and fans can expect to see her on-screen in the autumn.
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer.
