EastEnders star Michelle Ryan briefly reprised her role as Zoe Slater back in June
EastEnders star Michelle Ryan has revealed the real reason behind her Zoe Slater comeback.
Soap viewers will know that the 41-year-old actor made a brief return to the soap last month, after last being seen on screen in 2005.
Having joined the BBC drama in 2000, Michelle’s portrayal of Zoe led to one of the most unforgettable revelations in soap history – that she was not Kat’s (Jessie Wallace) younger sister, but actually her daughter.
Zoe’s five-year stint in Walford saw her embroiled in dramatic storylines, including her involvement in Den Watts’ (Leslie Grantham) murder, before she jetted off to Spain for a fresh start, reports Plymouth Live.
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Despite leaving on amicable terms with her mum, Zoe and Kat’s relationship deteriorated over time, leading to years of estrangement.
Zoe made her anticipated return to the Square in June, which was short-lived as she fled to Barcelona upon confessing that she was in trouble.
Kat remained oblivious to Zoe’s brief presence in Walford, while Alfie Moon (Shane Richie), her husband, vowed to fetch Zoe back, misleading Kat about travelling to Australia due to his returning cancer.
With Zoe set for a more substantial return later in the year, Michelle has revealed to Radio Times the reasons behind her decision to step back into Zoe’s shoes.
“In the past, the timing just wasn’t right. I didn’t feel a need to do it and, for me, there always has to be a need. This time, I surprised myself with how open I was to it,” she explained.
“I just want to be working more regularly. I really had loved the freedom of going from job to job, doing theatre and then maybe a film and building an eclectic CV.”
She continued: “But there comes a time when you think, actually, it would be great to have a routine.”
Michelle’s remarks follow EastEnders once again postponing Zoe’s return, with Kat just missing out on discovering the truth during last week’s episodes.
Alfie made his way back from Spain and informed Stacey (Lacey Turner) that Zoe remained missing, whilst Kat branded her other half the “biggest liar in Walford”.
She believed that he had departed the Square to help Hayley (Katie Jarvis) and her daughter, Cherry. When will Kat find out about Zoe’s recent return, and how will she react?
The full interview with Michelle Ryan can be read in the latest issue of Radio Times
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One and is available to stream on BBC iPlayer from 6am
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