EastEnders icon 'not returning' to soap after surprise exit over two years ago
Plans look to have changed.
Shirley Carter will reportedly not be returning to EastEnders after her surprise exit from the BBC soap over two years ago.
The Sun has claimed that actress Linda Henry, who played the formidable Shirley from 2006 until 2022, has no plans to return to the role.
When Shirley walked away from Albert Square with family dog Lady Di in December 2022, she was mourning the presumed death of son Mick (Danny Dyer), who appeared to have drowned on Christmas Day.
At the time, then-EastEnders producer Chris Clenshaw said that Henry would be back after a break from the show.
But although the door was left very much open, it seems plans have changed and Shirley won't be making a comeback after all – news that is sure to sadden fans.
On the rumours over the character's future, RadioTimes.com reached out to the BBC, who declined to comment.
But it's not all bad news, as the much-missed Henry will be reuniting with on-screen son Dyer in the second season of award-winning Sky comedy Mr Bigstuff.
The actress will play mechanic Pam alongside Dyer's Lee, and series creator Ryan Sampson previously told RadioTimes.com: "We've got Linda Henry, who was Shirley – Danny's mum – in EastEnders, which is a lovely little Easter egg for the EastEnders crowd."
Sampson branded Henry "amazing", so while we continue to miss Shirley, at least we'll have some new entertainment coming our way through Pam.
Read more:
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- EastEnders schedule shake-up confirmed again as new advance spoilers revealed
- EastEnders airs dramatic double exit in double-bill early BBC iPlayer release
- EastEnders airs big update on former character in iPlayer release
- Zoe Slater's biggest and best EastEnders moments – from Kat bombshell to Den Watts murder
- EastEnders airs Queen Vic twist amid Elaine Knight collapse in early iPlayer release
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Authors
Laura Denby is a Freelance Soaps writer covering all the latest news in the Dales, Cobbles and East End for Radio Times. She's a soaps nerd with a love for comedy drama, and has also written for Digital Spy, Metro UK and Yahoo UK.
