Legacy EastEnders character returning to BBC soap opera after almost 10 years away - with a new actor cast

The BBC has announced this evening (January 17) that Mark Fowler Jr is heading back to Walford to join his older sister Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig) and the Mitchell family later this month.

Stephen Aaron-Sipple has been cast and already appeared in the show, in the recent New Years Day flashforward - and is expected to be at the heart of the upcoming drama surrounding the Branning family.

The character made his debut in August 2016, and left the show the following month - being played by Ned Porteous at the time.

Aaron-Sipple said: “Having grown up in East London, EastEnders has been in my life since childhood and I’m excited to be joining not one, but two iconic Albert Square families! I’m looking forward to viewers seeing why Mark is back, and what Walford has in store for him.”

Executive producer Ben Wadey said: “We are thrilled to welcome Stephen Aaron-Sipple to EastEnders and bring Mark back to Albert Square.

“Viewers had a glimpse of Mark in the New Years Day flashforward episode, with the circumstances around his upcoming involvement with the Brannings set to unfold throughout the year.”

It’s unknown exactly why Mark is back in Albert Square - but the BBC has hinted that all is not quite as it seems.