The best and worst comeback storylines in soap history – from Kim Tate to Janine Butcher
ACROSS the years, there have been many movers and shakers in the world of soap.
From explosive exits to hotly-anticipated comebacks, the soap world would not be the same without a returning face or two every now and again.
Across EastEnders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale, many characters have said their final goodbyes only to pop back up just years later.
Tina Dingle’s surprise re-appearance in Emmerdale recently left fans gobsmacked whilst over in Walford there has been no shortage of comebacks in recent weeks, namely Chrissie Watts, David Wicks, Bianca Jackson, Jake Moon and Joe Wicks.
But not all soap comebacks go to plan with many of them suffering a complete backlack.
The Sun has taken a look at the best and worst comebacks in the world of soap below…
BEST
Emmerdale
Kim Tate
She was soap’s first ever bitch and is arguably one of Emmerdale’s most famous faces so it was no surprise that a return to the Dales for Kim Tate 19 years after she was last seen in the village went down a treat in 2018.
A huge marketing campaign revealed that Kim would be back causing chaos in the Dales after being released from prison.
Heading back to Home Farm, a huge whodunnit surrounding Kim immediately struck as she was pushed off the balcony in the mansion and collided into a champagne tower – very on brand for Emmerdale’s Kim!
It was eventually revealed that Faith Dingle was the mystery pusher and Kim has remained a mainstay in Emmerdale since with plots including her doomed marriage to Will Taylor and allowing her horse Ice to murder Craig after his rape of Lydia Dingle.
Coronation Street
Jenny Connor
Known as Jenny Bradley in the 1980s, after more than 20 years away from the soap, the daughter of villainous Alan Bradley made a surprise return to the show in 2015.
She was initially reintroduced as Kevin Webster’s new love interest but things soon took a sinister turn when she developed an unhealthy obsession with his son, Jack.
Jenny soon kidnapped Jack leaving the Webster’s terrified but it was revealed that Jenny was grieving for her own little boy who died.
The shock plot saw Jenny win over fans once again and after a few months away again, she returned for good in 2016.
Since then she has gone on to be a comedy favourite and even found herself as the landlady of the Rovers Return Inn.
EastEnders
Ben Mitchell
When Ben Mitchell returned in 2019, he was being played by Max Bowden – the 6th actor to take over the role.
The many reincarnations of Ben has sparked fierce debate among many EastEnders fans but for the most part, Max won praise for his betrayal of the role.
His return storyline was hugely praised as he began a relationship with fan favourite character Callum Highway who he later went on to marry.
They cemented themselves as one of Walford’s most popular couples with Callum helping to raise Ben’s daughter Lexi with him.
WORST
Emmerdale
Debbie Dingle
When it was revealed that Debbie would finally be returning to the Dales after close to two years away, Emmerdale fans were left excited at seeing the feisty character in action once again.
However, it went on to become one of the soap’s most poorly-received reintroductions with Debbie’s return only going on to last a total of six weeks.
Branded “pointless” by many viewers, Debbie appeared in a handful of episodes between December 2020 and February 2021 when it was revealed that she was Al Chapman’s mystery woman.
He had been cheating on Priya with her, a mirror of Pete Barton who also cheated on Priya with Debbie.
But the so-called plot twist was quickly wrapped up and with it, Debbie vanished and was never seen again.
Coronation Street
Bet Lynch
An icon of soap, it seemed like nothing could go wrong with Bet’s return to Weatherfield in 2002.
However, her two brief returns in 2002 and 2003 left much to be desired from viewers.
Appearing just to give her former neighbours a catch-up on what she had been getting up to in her new home of Brighton – many were left underwhelmed by her lack of storylines.
Her final scenes saw her due to marry Cecil Newton but as he dies from a heart attack on the day of the wedding, Bet returns back to Brighton and takes Liz McDonald with her.
EastEnders
Janine Butcher
Another infamous soap bitch, Janine made a shock return to Walford in 2021.
Played by Charlie Brooks, her character was shoehorned into becoming Mick Carter’s brand new wife despite his famous union with Linda.
During her 16-month return, she was simply left vying for Mick’s attention and attempted to destroy Linda in the process.
A shock New Year showdown saw Janine, Mick and Linda caught up in a terrifying car accident that saw the two women hurtled off the cliffs of Dover.
Mick managed to save Janine whilst Linda freed herself.
Unaware of this, he dove back in and was then lost at sea and presumed dead after trying to search for and save Linda.
Janine then quickly departed after being jailed for perverting the course of justice relating to another offence in which she tried to frame Linda for drink-driving.
Soap characters who've been recast
Soap operas are staple viewing for many people, but even some of the most famous characters have been played by different actors. Here are some examples from over the years.
- Tracy Barlow: Kate Ford took on the role of Corrie legend Tracy Barlow in 2002. Before Kate, three other actresses had played Tracy – most notably Dawn Acton from 1988 to 1999.
- Nick Tilsley: Ben Price has been playing Gail’s oldest child in 2009, but the former Footballers’ Wives star is the third actor to take on the part.
- Sarah Platt: Although Tina O’Brien debuted as Sarah Platt in 1999, she is the third actress who has played the iconic role of Sarah Platt.
- David Platt: Completing the line-up of Gail’s children, David was initially played by Thomas Ormson for a decade before Jack P. Shepherd took over.
- Daniel Osbourne: For almost a decade, the role of Ken Barlow’s son Daniel has been portrayed by actor Rob Mallard. Before Rob joined, two other actors had previously played Daniel.
- Bethany Platt: Fans know Lucy Fallon as Bethany nowadays but before her, three other actresses had stepped into the character’s shoes.
- Kirk Sutherland: Before Andy Whyment took on the role of Kirk, he played by an uncredited actor in his very first appearance.
- Todd Grimshaw: Gareth Pierce stepped into the role of Todd back in 2020, becoming the second performer to play this part.
- Summer Spellman: Harriet Bibby became the second actress to play Summer, taking over the role from Matilda Freeman in 2020.
- Ryan Connor: Ryan Prescott currently plays the long-running character, but Ben Thompson and Sol Heras had earlier portrayed the role.
- Martin Fowler: Although Martin was the first baby born on-screen in EastEnders, he hasn’t always been played by the same person. His current portrayer, James Bye, is the third actor to star as the character.
- Peter Beale: Seven actors have portrayed Ian Beale’s elder son, with the current actor, Thomas Law, in his second stint as the character.
- Ben Mitchell: Ben has been played by a total of six actors – with Max Bowden bowing out of the role in March 2024.
- Bobby Beale: Before Clay Milner Russell, Ian’s younger son had been played by four other actors.
- Freddie Slater: Bobby’s best mate, Freddie Slater, had been previously played by twins Alex and Tom Kilby before Bobby Brazier took over in 2022.
- Chelsea Fox: Former Coronation Street actress Zaraah Abrahams took over the role of Chelsea in 2020. The character had been first played by Tiana Benjamin from 2006 to 2010.
- Lauren Branning: Jacqueline Jossa took on the role of Lauren in 2010, succeeding Madeline Duggan who’d played her from 2006 to 2010.
- Johnny Carter: Johnny has been played by three actors since debuting in 2013 – most recently, Charlie Suff has taken on the role.