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A HOST of former EastEnders favourites are returning to Albert Square – for Frank Butcher’s funeral, The Sun can reveal.

Much-loved Mike Reid’s character will get a traditional East End send-off in special episodes.

The actor died aged 67 after a heart attack in Marbella, Spain, in July.

Sophie Lawrence, who played car dealer Frank’s daughter Diane, and Charlie Brooks - his superbitch daughter Janine – have agreed to return for the funeral shows.

Last night a source said: “Frank was practically royalty in Walford, and he will be given a proper East End send-off, complete with a horse-drawn carriage.

“Getting so many old faces together again is going to set the cat among the pigeons. Tempers will flare as many of Frank’s family have grudges to settle.”

Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor) and Pat Butcher (Pam St Clements) were at the centre of a love triangle with Frank in the BBC1 soap.

A date for the specials has not been set – but the source revealed it will last a week.

Return ... Janine
(Charlie Brooks)

EastEnders bosses had not killed off Frank after Mike left in December 2005, always leaving the door open for him to return for brief stints. They haven’t revealed yet how Frank will die.

In one of his last appearances, Peggy was actually called to Spain after being told Frank had died in a car crash.

But he had faked his own death in a scam.

Mike’s on-screen son Sid Owen, who played Ricky, and his ex-wife Bianca (Patsy Palmer) have announced they are returning.

Meanwhile, EastEnders bosses were jubilant after 11million viewers tuned in to watch Stacey Slater wed Bradley Branning on Thursday night.

ITV1 rival Emmerdale got just six million viewers with its double bill.

Source - The Sun

Does anyne else think that Bianca will bring the news of the death when she returns and this will be how ricky comes back into the soap?