Charlie Brooks addresses her EastEnders future after rumours of a return
She's one of the best soap villains!
Author: Emma DoddsPublished 26th Feb 2019 Last updated 26th Feb 2019
EastEnders fans up and down the country pricked their ears up last week as soon as rumours began swirling that Charlie Brooks, AKA Janine Butcher, would be returning to the soap.
The 37-year-old, who first appeared on the soap in 1999, sparked rumours last week that she could be making another return to the soap after leaving first in 2004, returning in 2008 and leaving again in 2014.
Revealing that she has a "never say never" approach to the soap, Charlie said in an interview, "I’m lucky because there’s great potential with her. I like to think of her as a hippy on the beach. She has the ability to be anyone and go anywhere."
Swipe through to see all the EastEnders spoilers you need to know for next week...
The week begins with Jean asking Sonia Fowler about how she coped when her mum was diagnosed with cancer. Following their conversation, Jean decides to take matters into her own hands and ends up throwing all the unhealthy food away in the house.
Charlie Brooks addresses her EastEnders future after rumours of a return
2 of 27
Following his death last week, Dr Legg's solicitor arrives on the Square – what will they reveal?
The week begins with Jean asking Sonia Fowler about how she coped when her mum was diagnosed with cancer. Following their conversation, Jean decides to take matters into her own hands and ends up throwing all the unhealthy food away in the house.
With Jean on-edge, Stacey confronts her mum about her recent behaviour and asks her to go and see the doctor again.
Later when Stacey books her mum a doctor's appointment, Jean worries she'll discover the truth so insists she'll go to the appointment on her own. Unbeknownst to Stacey, Jean sneaks off before the doctor has a chance to talk to her.
Back at the Slaters and Stacey tells Kat Moon she needs to step it up with baby Cherry because it's too much pressure for Jean to handle. Then when Kat is look for something of Cherry's – in Jean's bedroom – she's stunned when she finds Jean's appointment letter.
When it dawns on her that Jean could have cancer, Kat tries to comfort her. Jean is quick to make it clear to Kat that she wants to keep the news a secret from Stacey.
It's not long before Kat reveals all to Stacey, who is quick to rush over to The Vic to see her mum. Stacey insists that Jean go for tests straight away but it soon becomes too much for Jean.
Stacey makes it clear she wants her mum to get an appointment straight away which gives Kat a brilliant idea. Stacey is left touched by Kat's gesture – what has she proposed?
When Honey Mitchell sees a concerned Jean sitting alone she decides to pay Stacey a visit. Meanwhile Shirley Carter - who spotted the drama at The Vic with Stacey and Jean – asks her friend why she didn't tell her about her health scare. Jean is quick to snap at her, leaving Shirley frustrated.
After Jean overhears Kat and Stacey talking about her, she decides she's had enough and secretly packs a bag and heads for the station.
At the end of the week, the Slater family report Jean missing to the police. Noticing how Stacey is struggling, Martin decides to take matters into his own hands and asks some of the others to help track down Jean.
Elsewhere in Walford, Ruby braces herself for the event she's managing for Walford East but things get off to a rough start when she upsets Iqra Ahmed by posting a picture of her on the restaurant's social media page.
Despite all the drama, Ruby manages to save the day and asks the Slater family to help out with the event. While the event is going on, Jay tells Stacey that the police have been looking for Ruby but he told them she's out.
. As things continue to go well at Walford East, Jay tries to go official with Ruby but he's left disappointed when she's focused on impressing a potential client Lewis. Things take a slight turn when Lewis tries to make a move on Ruby and she orders him to leave – causing a scene. Soon after things spiral out of control and the event comes to a sudden end…
Later on Jay is left worried when Ruby ignores his calls and then shuts the door in his face when he goes to visit her.
When he jumps to conclusions, Jay feels bad for getting the wrong end of the stick but whne he talks things out with Ruby he ends up upsetting her even further.
Ruby then gets a visit from her SOIT officer – what's the news?
Rainie Branning bumps into Lewis
Over to the Branning household and a hungover Rainie reels from her night with a man she met in The Vic, Lewis. When she goes to the Walford East party she ends up bumping into the mystery man…
When Rainie attends a Narcotics Anonymous meeting she's left stunned when she sees Stuart Highway there.
She manages to keep out of view and is shocked when he begins to talk about Dot Branning.
Later, Rainie taunts Stuart in The Vic and his confessions in the NA meeting. A furious Stuart confronts Rainie at the car lot and demands answers but when he realises she was at the meeting and overheard everything, he opens up about what's really going and begs her not to tell Dot.
Stuart is left paranoid that Rainie will tell Dot and Halfway about his past so he decides to keep a close eye on her. Following a run-in with Halfway, Stuart has had enough and announces he's leaving the Square. But after he's intercepted by Dot, Stuart confesses all about his past – how will Dot react?
Meanwhile, Linda tells Mick Carter she doesn't want his mum looking after The Vic while they are away but Mick orders them both to call a truce. Later on, Shirley hints to Mick that he should wear a cultural outfit to the wedding… knowing Linda will overhear the conversation.
As Mick and Linda prepare for their trip to Australia, Shirley revels in seeing Mick fitted for his wedding outfit.
Also on the Square, Habiba and Iqra return to Walford East – after that photo drama with Ruby – and during her time at the party, Iqra catches the eye of Kush Kazemi.
The newbies revel in the success of their event but are shocked to learn that Kathy Beale is their new manager after Masood Ahmed sold his share.
Mitch asks Karen Taylor to look after his daughter Bailey but ends up with a new opportunity – what is it?
He then discovers Bailey hid a letter about a school trip and assures her he will find the money – he then asks Patrick for help…
Following his death last week, Dr Legg's solicitor arrives on the Square – what will they reveal?
The week begins with Jean asking Sonia Fowler about how she coped when her mum was diagnosed with cancer. Following their conversation, Jean decides to take matters into her own hands and ends up throwing all the unhealthy food away in the house.
With Jean on-edge, Stacey confronts her mum about her recent behaviour and asks her to go and see the doctor again.
Later when Stacey books her mum a doctor's appointment, Jean worries she'll discover the truth so insists she'll go to the appointment on her own. Unbeknownst to Stacey, Jean sneaks off before the doctor has a chance to talk to her.
Back at the Slaters and Stacey tells Kat Moon she needs to step it up with baby Cherry because it's too much pressure for Jean to handle. Then when Kat is look for something of Cherry's – in Jean's bedroom – she's stunned when she finds Jean's appointment letter.
When it dawns on her that Jean could have cancer, Kat tries to comfort her. Jean is quick to make it clear to Kat that she wants to keep the news a secret from Stacey.
It's not long before Kat reveals all to Stacey, who is quick to rush over to The Vic to see her mum. Stacey insists that Jean go for tests straight away but it soon becomes too much for Jean.
Stacey makes it clear she wants her mum to get an appointment straight away which gives Kat a brilliant idea. Stacey is left touched by Kat's gesture – what has she proposed?
When Honey Mitchell sees a concerned Jean sitting alone she decides to pay Stacey a visit. Meanwhile Shirley Carter - who spotted the drama at The Vic with Stacey and Jean – asks her friend why she didn't tell her about her health scare. Jean is quick to snap at her, leaving Shirley frustrated.
After Jean overhears Kat and Stacey talking about her, she decides she's had enough and secretly packs a bag and heads for the station.
At the end of the week, the Slater family report Jean missing to the police. Noticing how Stacey is struggling, Martin decides to take matters into his own hands and asks some of the others to help track down Jean.
Elsewhere in Walford, Ruby braces herself for the event she's managing for Walford East but things get off to a rough start when she upsets Iqra Ahmed by posting a picture of her on the restaurant's social media page.
Despite all the drama, Ruby manages to save the day and asks the Slater family to help out with the event. While the event is going on, Jay tells Stacey that the police have been looking for Ruby but he told them she's out.
. As things continue to go well at Walford East, Jay tries to go official with Ruby but he's left disappointed when she's focused on impressing a potential client Lewis. Things take a slight turn when Lewis tries to make a move on Ruby and she orders him to leave – causing a scene. Soon after things spiral out of control and the event comes to a sudden end…
Later on Jay is left worried when Ruby ignores his calls and then shuts the door in his face when he goes to visit her.
When he jumps to conclusions, Jay feels bad for getting the wrong end of the stick but whne he talks things out with Ruby he ends up upsetting her even further.
Ruby then gets a visit from her SOIT officer – what's the news?
Rainie Branning bumps into Lewis
Over to the Branning household and a hungover Rainie reels from her night with a man she met in The Vic, Lewis. When she goes to the Walford East party she ends up bumping into the mystery man…
When Rainie attends a Narcotics Anonymous meeting she's left stunned when she sees Stuart Highway there.
She manages to keep out of view and is shocked when he begins to talk about Dot Branning.
Later, Rainie taunts Stuart in The Vic and his confessions in the NA meeting. A furious Stuart confronts Rainie at the car lot and demands answers but when he realises she was at the meeting and overheard everything, he opens up about what's really going and begs her not to tell Dot.
Stuart is left paranoid that Rainie will tell Dot and Halfway about his past so he decides to keep a close eye on her. Following a run-in with Halfway, Stuart has had enough and announces he's leaving the Square. But after he's intercepted by Dot, Stuart confesses all about his past – how will Dot react?
Meanwhile, Linda tells Mick Carter she doesn't want his mum looking after The Vic while they are away but Mick orders them both to call a truce. Later on, Shirley hints to Mick that he should wear a cultural outfit to the wedding… knowing Linda will overhear the conversation.
As Mick and Linda prepare for their trip to Australia, Shirley revels in seeing Mick fitted for his wedding outfit.
Also on the Square, Habiba and Iqra return to Walford East – after that photo drama with Ruby – and during her time at the party, Iqra catches the eye of Kush Kazemi.
The newbies revel in the success of their event but are shocked to learn that Kathy Beale is their new manager after Masood Ahmed sold his share.
Mitch asks Karen Taylor to look after his daughter Bailey but ends up with a new opportunity – what is it?
He then discovers Bailey hid a letter about a school trip and assures her he will find the money – he then asks Patrick for help…
Following his death last week, Dr Legg's solicitor arrives on the Square – what will they reveal?
However, the actress has now revealed that reprising her role in Walford isn't at the top of her agenda, telling Good Morning Britain again that while she thinks "never say never", she's too busy at the moment.
She said, "I don’t have plans to go back," before revealing that she's enjoying working on the theatre circuit. "I’ve been doing so much theatre. I am so lucky to get these challenging characters. I would urge people to see it before making a judgement."
The last time 'Enders fans saw Janine, she'd successfully framed poor Alice Branning for the murder of her husband Michael Moon, who - to be fair - had been trying to kill her by strangling.
Thankfully, David Wicks recorded Janine confessing to the murder, and made sure the recording got into the right hands, with Janine eventually being imprisoned as well. They were both found not guilty, and Janine then began a new life in Paris.
EastEnders airs on Mondays and Fridays at 8pm, and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One.
Tune into Northern Ireland's Home of Great Music, Downtown Radio on FM, AM, DAB Digital Radio, online, on our Rayo app and by asking your smart speaker to 'Play Downtown Radio'. Gary & Glen kick things off every weekday morning and Neal McClelland brings you home on Downtown Drive.
