EastEnders first look sees David Wicks reunite with ex Cindy Beale – before being caught by Ian Beale
EASTENDERS have revealed a first look at David Wicks reuniting with former lover Cindy Beale.
Michael French is reprising his role as David after a decade away from the BBC soap.
New images reveal David will be crossing paths with ex-lover Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins).
They had an affair in the mid-90s while Cindy was married to David’s half-brother, Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt).
And it appears the past will somewhat rear its head, as Ian is also present in the reunion snaps.
During their fling, Cindy became determined to run off with David.
To this end, she even hired a hitman to kill Ian, however, her husband survived being shot.
David later ended his and Cindy’s relationship once he found out about what happened.
That said, he did later help her escape along with her two sons.
In typical soap fashion, David’s affair with Cindy and his knowledge of Ian’s attempted murder ultimately came to light.
The son of Pete Beale (Peter Dean) and Pat Butcher (Pat St Clement), David made his first appearance in December 1993.
He stayed until 1996, leaving Albert Square behind to move to Milan.
The character remained off-screen for 16 years, before returning for Pat’s death in 2012.
Afterwards, he appeared in the soap on and off until 2014.
He had been trying to make a go of it with longtime flame Carol Jackson (Lindsey Coulson), but they agreed things wouldn’t work between them.
In his latest return, David is set to reunite with his estranged daughter Bianca (Patsy Palmer).
Best soap affair love triangles
LOVE triangles are a fundamental part of soap-land, but which ones have become the most iconic?
EASTENDERS
Bradley/Stacey/Max: Stacey Slater began an affair with boyfriend Bradley Branning’s dad Max in 2007.
Despite their romps, Stacey still married Bradley, but their deceit came out in an iconic Christmas Day episode that year.
Grant/Sharon/Phil: Heading even further back in Walford history, EastEnders fans were gripped in the 90s as Sharon Watts had a one-night stand with her brother-in-law Phil Mitchell.
Sharon confided in best friend Michelle Fowler – not realising it was caught on tape – and her husband Grant eventually found out and played it in front of everyone at the Queen Vic.
Syed/Amira/Christian: Syed Masood was engaged to Amira before realising he had feelings for another man, Christian, which he confessed to him on his wedding day.
A devout Muslim, Syed refused to admit his true sexuality and went ahead and married Amira anyway, but when they returned, the two men started an affair before being caught in the act by Amira.
CORONATION STREET
Shelley/Peter/Lucy: Peter Barlow took the concept of a love triangle and ran with it in Coronation Street – extending it to bigamy.
He was in a relationship with Shelley Unwin but started dating Lucy Richards, and quickly married her after she fell pregnant with his son, Simon.
But it didn’t stop him also marrying Shelley, but he was eventually caught when Lucy turned up in Weatherfield and the two women confronted him.
Ken/Deidre/Mike: Back in 1982, Deirdre Barlow started sleeping with her husband’s nemesis Mike Baldwin in secret, before confessing all a year later.
When Mike turned up at the marital home, Deirdre was being throttled by her husband who then kicked her out, but years later they reconciled.
Maria/Aidan/Eva: In 2017, Aidan Connor started sleeping with girlfriend Eva Price’s best friend, Maria Connor.
Eva eventually found out and she decided to take revenge by faking a pregnancy, spending his money and planned to confront him on their wedding day.
But she had a change of heart when a remorseful Aidan confessed, and decided to marry him anyway, only for Maria to arrive and expose her fake pregnancy.
EMMERDALE
Ross/Debbie/Pete: Debbie Dingle found herself torn between two brothers, Ross and Pete Barton in 2015 in Emmerdale.
She eventually decided to marry Pete but yet again, a soap wedding day was ruined when the groom learned of his bride’s betrayal via a recording played at the wedding.
Chrissie/Robert/Aaron: Robert Sugden was married to Chrissie White and all seemed well – until he began a steamy affair with Aaron Dingle.
Robert’s ex Katie Sugden almost exposed the affair – but fell to her death before she had the chance.
However, a guilty Aaron eventually cracked and told Chrissie about the affair – after which she announced it to the whole pub.
The two have an unexpected reunion while she is participating in the Save Our Sonia campaign.
With Bianca dealing with her half-sister being in prison – and other woes – David realises his daughter needs him now more than ever.
But what are his motivations for returning to Walford?
EastEnders airs on BBC One and is available on iPlayer.