[dbh-g]

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?

[MarkWaldorf]

OH MY GOD, please, please, Janine, come back.

[supernoodles!]

Ooooh this is so exciting!Im sure it will be a really sad episode

[Spike]

I'm glad Janine is coming back for the funeral shows.

[Ann]

wow this is gonna be ace now what is Pat gonna say to Janine coming back

[\PJ/]

It does sound good I will look forward to it.

[001steven]

yessss JANINE is coming back!!!! she is the best SOAP BITCH EVER i hope charlie Brooks decides to stay for good...i can imagine Pats Face lol.... she should come back rich aswell lol EE OFFICIALY GOT 11million that is fantastic!!! Shame ITV NOT!!!

[Wasted]

Janine is probably my favourite soap bitch ever.

IMO Eastenders got boring when she left, that's around the time I stopped watching soaps altogether.

[001steven]

Janine is the Best Bitch isint she i loved it when she pushed Barry it so funny and EVIL.... this funeral will be realistic HOPE ALL the charcters ARE coming back the funeral will be emotional and maybe a bit of Humour aswell as it was frank the Bow tie lol...i was sad when Mike reid Died he was an EE legened!!

janine beats ALL soap Bitches imo Tracy Barlow was nothing Compared to Janine BUT Hollyoaks Clair was 2nd best she was EVIL to the core and i love her... i wouls Say to reach at least 13million for the funeral week

[supernoodles!]

Ee is only going to get better and better with all these old popular characters coming back who everyone loved to watch.
I think EE is back on top now anyway,Roxy and Ronnie have really freshened and livened it up a bit and of course you`ve had the great Ian story line and the max,stacey and bradley one also.

[dbh-g]

Diederick definately knows what he is doing. He is bringing back characters which relate to each generation to intise ( is that how u spell it?) the viewers back who gave up on EE. Clare relates to Hollyoaks viewers as they will be interested to see wot they do with the actress in EE, along with the older generations who want to see how she has changed. Bianca and Ricky for the viewers during the 90's, Janine as I don't know anyone who didnt like this character, and Frank's funeral to bring every1 together and people would like to say goodbye to the character ( i know it sounds weird but people get attacted to characters).

This week will be unmissable EE as Santer will want to make it fantastic to show viewers how good EE is again, and increase viewing figures.

[KKBL]

EE is fnaly getting good again!

[Matt08]

I'm glad that Frank will have a funeral in the soap, it's the best send off that EastEnders could give Mike Reid for all his hard work, he was one of the best EastEnders characters ever

[XxShortyxX]

I read about this, I can't wait, Eastenders ratings will go sky high now!

[Noel]

Omg! I love Janine!!
I just wish they could bring Laura back to life.
She was so kewl. =D

[XxShortyxX]

Now all we need is for them to bring Kat, Zoe and Lynne back, and we can have the slasters back

[Noel]

Now THAT would be good. =D

[KKBL]

Originally posted by XxShortyxX
Now all we need is for them to bring Kat, Zoe and Lynne back, and we can have the slasters back

NO do not bring back that bitch Kat

[supernoodles!]

Originally posted by Noel
Omg! I love Janine!!
I just wish they could bring Laura back to life.
She was so kewl. =D

people used to say i look like Laura...
I look nothing like her do i?
imbaseals.
I used to hate it.

[Ann]

this will make eastenders more watcherable now im glad that Janines back in it i will love Pat,s face when she sees her again

[Callum]

Can we all keep EE chat into the EastEnders discussion thread, please.
It just makes everything more easier to read, when it's all together.
Thanks

[dbh-g]

Im sorry but whats wrong with opening another thread for big news, and more ppl are going to find out this way.

The only person moaning is you because you want more ppl to use ur thread.

[Callum]

Oof, well I'm sorry I mentioned it.

[001steven]

yeah this is a BIG News story

We should start a pettion to get Janinje back FOR GOOD!!! I think EE ratings have Dramiticly improved this year...

I bet the emmerdale Producer are crapping themselfs when the yread this lol... al ican say is..... hahahahahahahahahahahah:chee r2:

[Hugo]

I would love to see Natalie return.