EastEnders star Charlie Brooks’ return ‘confirmed’ as she arrives at the soap’s famous set
CHARLIE Brooks has been spotted on the set of EastEnders as she gears up for her return as super-b*tch Janine Butcher.
The 39-year-old is back filming seven years after her last stint as the legendary character and bosses seem determined to not give anything away.
The actress was seen being picked up from a car park and driven in a blackedout car to the set – in an attempt to keep her arrival underwraps.
The Sun revealed her return earlier this year and that she was set to be part of a “huge storyline.”
Charlie, who won the 2012 series of I’m A Celebrity, begins filming in the coming weeks, though it is not yet known if her character will be reformed.
Janine, first played by Charlie in 1999, is the troubled daughter of Frank, stepdaughter of Pat and sister of Ricky.
Three of her four husbands died, most famously Barry Evans — played by Shaun Williamson.
An EastEnders source said: “Bosses have a huge story planned for Charlie’s return.
“They are keeping tight-lipped about whether Janine will come back as a reformed character after all the chaos she has caused in the past.
“But she certainly has a lot of history in Albert Square so whether she will be welcomed back with open arms or not remains to be seen.
“One thing the viewers can be sure about is that it is bound to be explosive. Wherever Janine goes, drama is never far behind.”
Janine married first husband Barry for his money, then pushed him off a cliff in Scotland.
Next came a dramatic marriage to a rich elderly Jewish businessman called David, who died of a heart attack at the ceremony.
Janine also tied the knot with Ryan Malloy, who she tried to kill too.
She was unsuccessful but attempted to frame arch-rival Stacey Slater for the crime.
Other explosive storylines over the years include prostitution and drug addiction, and an attempt to defraud the Mitchells.
Janine did kill fourth husband Michael Moon but was found not guilty in court — leading to her being shunned by locals.
Her final on-screen appearance in 2014 showed her at St Pancras station heading for France.
There she hoped to reunite with her daughter Scarlett.
The source added: “The potential for Janine is huge.
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“She has enemies all around the Square who she’d gladly go to war with, and she’s shown before she isn’t afraid to kill to get her way.
“It could have huge repercussions for some of the big names in EastEnders.
“She’s not going to come back and play nice.”