Legendary EastEnders villain addresses possible return to BBC soap – over a decade after iconic storyline
AN EASTENDERS villain has broken his silence on a possible return to Albert Square – despite being killed off in one of the soap’s most iconic storylines over a decade ago.
EastEnders legend Larry Lamb addressed the possibility of a shock return from beyond the grave for Archie Mitchell.
More than a decade ago, his villainous alter ego Archie Mitchell was bumped off in one of the soap’s most explosive Christmas whodunnits.
The 77-year-old national treasure played the twisted crook and rapist for 18 months, before he met his maker courtesy of Stacey Slater and a deadly blow from the Queen Vic bust.
When asked if a fat paycheck might tempt him back to Albert Square, Larry told The Express: “It’s not about that. People have got to be prepared to face the fact that stories come to an end.
“Archie Mitchell had his day. They wrote a character that was so strong, so powerful, what are you going to do?
“You can’t go back and pretend he’s come back to life.”
He added: “You know, I had a wonderful time doing it, the same as I had a wonderful time doing Gavin & Stacey, but that’s it, the story is done. That’s it.”
Meanwhile, The Sun on Sunday revealed that actor Jake Wood is making a shock return to EastEnders as Max Branning – after four years away.
The star, 52, will reprise his role as love rat later this year in dramatic scenes.
Jake quit the BBC One soap in 2021 after 15 years to focus on other acting projects.
His comeback coincides with former on-screen lover Stacey Slater, played by Lacey Turner, preparing to depart Walford.
A telly source said: “Jake’s return is huge news for EastEnders fans as his character made a massive mark on the show.
“It’ll raise some eyebrows after he was absent from the 40th anniversary earlier this year.
“Bosses are excited about what his character’s reappearance means for spicing up the plots.
“There is plenty to go at. Max has loads of unfinished business in the Square and is set to ruffle some feathers.”
Most devastating soap deaths
SOAP viewers are frequently left heartbroken after watching some of their favourite characters bite the dust.
Here is a list of the most devastating deaths that have taken place in soapland over the years.
EASTENDERS
Barry Evans – Evil Janine (Charlie Brooks) lured her trusting fiance to Scotland for a quickie marriage after learning he was dying.
Her plan to inherit Barry’s fortune was thwarted when Barry told her that the doctors had mixed up his medical files.
Furious that she was no longer set for a windfall, she pushed Barry off a cliff after telling him their love was “fake”.
Bradley Branning – Bradley was accused of killing Stacey Slater’s rapist Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb) after he punched him twice on the night he died.
He was spotted in the Square by a police woman who chased him up a fire escape.
Bradley lost his balance and tragically plunged to his death.
CORONATION STREET
Tina McIntyre – Tina was getting it on with Peter Barlow – despite him being married to Carla Connor.
When she threatened to reveal the truth, Carla’s brother Rob got into a physical altercation with her.
Tina lost her footing and fell off a balcony – then warned Rob she was going to tell the cops he pushed her.
In a panic, Rob brutally clobbered her over the head with a metal pipe.
Molly Dobbs – Molly was one of the victims in Corrie’s 2010 tram crash, alongside Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold).
Married to Tyrone (Alan Halsall), Molly had been having an affair with Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) in the months before her death.
This resulted in the birth of their son, Jack (Kyran Bowes), who was named after Jack Duckworth.
As fate would have it, Kevin’s wife Sally (Sally Dynevor) was by Molly’s side in her final moments.
Sally was stunned as Molly confessed Kevin was Jack’s father, before dying of her injuries.
Vera Duckworth – Having appeared regularly in Corrie since the 1970s, there was no denying Vera Duckworth was an iconic character.
Alongside her husband Jack, the pair formed one of the soap’s most beloved couples.
Viewers were heartbroken when Vera was killed off in 2008, being discovered having passed away peacefully in her chair.
Liz Dawn, who played Vera, made a brief return two years later for Bill Tarmey’s exit as Jack.
Paul Foreman – Fans were heartbroken when Paul Foreman succumbed to his illness after battling motor neurone disease.
Introduced in 2018 as David Platt’s (Jack P. Shepherd) cellmate, he later embarked on a romance – and marriage – with vicar Billy Mayhew.
The MND storyline was announced in 2023 – with the expectation it would result in the character’s death.
EMMERDALE
Sarah Sugden – After the family got into financial problems, Sarah’s son Andy (Kelvin Fletcher) decided to make some quick cash from an insurance company by setting fire to the Sugden barn.
He didn’t realise his mum was inside the building, and she got trapped in the blaze.
Nine villagers – The shocking 1993 plane crash episode brought in 18 million viewers for Emmerdale.
Mark Hughes was killed by a falling wall, Archie Brooks was burned by jet fuel, Elizabeth Pollard was killed by debris and newcomer Leonard Kempinski died in a car crash caused by the crash.
Five other non-recurring characters from the village also died.
HOLLYOAKS
Carmel McQueen – The talented singer died in shocking scenes when a train crashed into a her family’s car.
Carmel managed to free her cousin Theresa from the rubble – but got stuck in it herself.
Moments later the train exploded and Carmel died in the arms of her family members, promising to be their guardian angel.
Lothario Max had four marriages and ten affairs – luring a total of 15 women into his bed, including his son Bradley’s partner Stacey.
He left Albert Square to start to a new life in New Zealand.
This comes after EastEnders scooped a TV Bafta for best soap – with executive producer Kate Oates teasing: “If you like a return, I don’t think you’re going to be disappointed because there’s potentially one on the cards. We’ve got some uncharted territory.”
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer.