EASTENDERS fans are still reeling after the 40th anniversary episodes that aired last week.
The iconic BBC soap opera turned 40 last week, and to commemorate the milestone, a live episode aired.
In the live episode, Martin Fowler was tragically killed after a beam fell on his legs after the Queen Victoria pub suffered an explosion.
The devastating scenes came soon after Martin confessed his undying love for ex-wife Stacey Slater.
But ahead of the live episode and the other 40th anniversary episodes airing, fans were making an urgent plea for an iconic character to return to Walford.
Fans were desperate for one Slater family member to return to the soap to mark the show’s anniversary.
“With Lacey Turner going on maternity leave and presumably a Stacey exit – it’s perfect timing for Zoe’s return..” one person penned amid the anniversary episodes.
“Kathy’s comeback for the 30th was such a OMG moment. Will the 40th offer a similar surprise? I predict a Zoe Slater return,” speculated another.
A third tried to manifest Zoe Slater’s return, writing: “ZOE SLATER WILL RETURN TONIGHT LIVE ON #EASTENDERS.”
“If this big return in #Eastenders isn’t Zoe Slater, then quite frankly, I couldn’t give a f**k who it is,” said a fourth.
And now it has been revealed that Michelle Ryan, who played the role of Zoe Slater on the hit soap, has TURNED DOWN multiple offers to return.
“Bosses reached out to Michelle several times over the years, they would love to have her back.
“For example, as the soap was approaching its big 30th anniversary, it was a gentle approach asking if she would consider a return in the lead up to it all,” a source told MailOnline.
The source went on: “This was at the very early stages of their plans but Michelle refused and there was a lot of disappointment amongst bosses.”
They added how it’s “quite baffling” why she wouldn’t want to reprise her character.
“It’s been 20 years since she left Albert Square but still people are talking about her character,” they went on.
EastEnders' 40th anniversary cameos so far
With the 40th anniversary of EastEnders coming up, fans are looking forward to some more incredible cameos from iconic faces of Walford's past. But who have we had so far?
Tracy-Ann Oberman – Oberman returned as Chrissie Watts, a character she last played nearly two decades ago.
Paul Bradley – Bradley returned as Nigel Bates, a character he last played over 25 years ago.
Micheal French – French returned as David Wicks, a character he last played two decades ago.
Patsy Palmer – Palmer returned as Bianca Jackson, a character she last played in 2019.
Ricky Groves – Groves returned as Garry Hobbs, a character who has not been seen since 2009.
Cliff Parisi – Parisi returned as Minty Peterson, a character who was last seen on the square in 2010.
Ross Kemp – Kemp has returned to play Grant Mitchell, a character he first played in 1990. The BBC has described Kemp’s storyline as “explosive”. Kemp said it was an “absolute honour” to return to the show.
Other aspects of the EastEnders 40th anniversary celebration include: A wedding between fan favorites, A huge explosion at the Queen Vic, and A live interactive episode.
Michelle previously admitted that she “got quite bored in the end” of playing Zoe.
Speaking to the Bristol Evening Post at the time of her show departure, she said: “Doing the same thing day in, day out. It’s just so boring. I like to jump from different things.
“I always saw EastEnders as an apprenticeship. I always wanted to go on and do different things. I have some really good friends from that show but the door is closed.”
Michelle, 40, played the iconic role of Zoe Slater in the hit soap, with her stepping into the role at just 15.
Making her first appearance in the soap back in 2000, alongside the rest of the Slater clan, Zoe was a fan-favourite.
Her character’s key storylines in the soap included discovering Kat Slater was her mother and not her sister, as well as being involved in the cover up of the murder of Den Watts.
Zoe was only in the soap for five years, yet made a huge impact.
Michelle departed the soap in June 2005 and has never reprised her role since.
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