EastEnders bosses have officially announced that Michael French will return to his role as David Wicks later this year.
The popular character was last seen in January 2012, when he returned to Albert Square to see his mum, Pat, before she died of cancer. While back home, David reignited his romance with former flame, Carol, with whom he has a daughter, Bianca. But Carol was left angry and broken-hearted when David fled Walford alone on the night they were due to leave together. So how will Carol react when David finally shows his face again?
"It's an absolute honour to have Michael back in the show," says Lorraine Newman, Executive Producer of EastEnders. "Michael created an iconic character in David and with such rich history with Ian, Bianca and of course, Carol, there's plenty to explore in the future."
Michael starts filming his first scenes this summer and will appear on screen this autumn.
Since originally leaving EastEnders in 1996, Michael has played medic Nick Jordan in both Casualty and Holby City. He also starred in BBC1's rural drama, Born and Bred, and on stage in West End musical Chicago, in the role of Billy Flynn.
