Bianca and Carol to return to Albert Square?

Bianca and Carol to return to Albert Square?
Bianca and Carol to return to Albert Square? (Image credit: PA Archive/Press Association Ima)

EastEnders stars Patsy Palmer and Lindsey Coulson are set to liven up Walford this Christmas, with rumours that they are both returning to the BBC One soap. Patsy (Bianca Butcher), and Lindsey, who plays Bianca's mum Carol Jackson, were spotted on set this week following a six-month break, reported The Sun. "The cast and crew are excited that the Jackson family are due to return and their storylines are as colourful as ever. "Bosses are hoping the return of Bianca and Carol will prove a big draw for viewers over Christmas," a TV insider said. Patsy, who took a hiatus to focus on being a mum to her four children, was last seen in Albert Square in April, as her mouthy alter-ego was sent back to prison after stealing a money belt from a market stall. Carol took her grandchildren to live in the country so they could be closer to their mum while she served her sen1tence. The pair's Albert Square reunion will be shown on screens in November, and they are expected to play a part in the Christmas storyline as Bianca's uncle Max Branning (Jake Wood) marries ex-wife Tanya (Jo Joyner) for the second time. The source added: "Bianca's thrilled she's got out of prison in time for Christmas to be reunited with her kids and her mum. "She also makes it to her uncle's wedding and along with the kids, has a heavy screen presence over the festive period."

Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 


An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.