Gavin Sullivan is proving to be a classic Walford villain. He's kidnapped, beaten up people and even come back from the 'dead'. But maybe his most shocking storyline so far has been the revelation that he's Sharon's real dad in EastEnders.

He's tried to make up for lost time by being a part of Sharon and grandson Dennis's life, but it hasn't gone too well so far.

Now Gavin attempts to take Dennis on a day out behind Sharon's back. But knowing any time spent wth Gavin normally spells trouble, his ex-wife Kathy has other ideas…

What delights has Gavin got planned for Dennis on their day out?

Whatever they are, when Kathy spots them she thinks Dennis would be better off sticking close to Albert Square instead.

Looks like another day sitting in the caff. And what will Sharon say if she finds out what nearly happened?

Find out on EastEnders on BBC1 from Bank Holiday Monday

EastEnders released its all-action trailer showcasing the big storylines and plot climaxes coming this autumn, and Max Branning's murder trial and Kathy Beale are centre-stage!

Kathy Sullivan (formerly Beale) is pictured in a light aircraft with her husband, Gavin, about to make a desperate flight out of England. But the plane is stopped mid takeoff on the runway by a Range Rover. The smart money is on Phil Mitchell being the driver. Will he manage to persuade Kathy stay or will she flee?

One person who looks certain to leave is Charlie Cotton, as his wife, Ronnie, features heavily getting horizontal with Vincent Hubbard and revealing that her marriage is over because she doesn't trust Charlie any more.

It's Max's trial that dominates the epic trailer. His defency lawyer appears to be trying to get him off the charge of murdering Lucy Beale by pinning it on his daughter, Abi! But Phil could turn out to be Max's best case for the defence. In harrowing scenes, he brutally forces Jane Beale to admit who really killed Lucy...

Watch EastEnders' autumn trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upBV74yw7vg

EastEnders’ executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins has revealed how they used a real life case as inspiration for Kathy Beale’s return.

Kathy’s return is one of the biggest storylines the show has seen this year. Viewers last heard that she had died in a car accident in South Africa in 2006.

EastEnders’ Sharon Mitchell and Kathy Beale (BBC Pictures)

However, it’s later revealed she faked her death as part of an insurance scam and has now returned from the dead.

Talking about her return and how they crafted the storyline to support it, EastEnders producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins said: “It’s not going to be easy for Kathy to come back, which is something we were very clear about from the beginning.”

“She’s officially dead so her return couldn’t be easy.”

He revealed that writers used the John Darwin case as research and tried to ground each storyline for the show in reality.

“We make sure each story is rooted in reality – it’s the canoe man story – so we make sure it happened in real life,” he said. “We wouldn’t have done it if it wasn’t credible.”

Ian and Kathy before she was said to have been killed off (BBC Pictures)

Former teacher and prison officer John Darwin was believed to have died in a canoeing accident, but five years later was found to be alive, and it was revealed he and his wife had faked his death as part of a life insurance scam.

So far viewers are waiting to see how the return of Kathy (played by Gillian Taylforth) is going to rock Albert Square.

Teasing the rest of the big storylines set to unfold this year, Treadwell-Collins hinted saying: “It’s a big bumpy ride between now and Christmas and there are lots of shocks in store so keep watching.”

After two brief glimpses of Kathy Beale the EastEnders legend made her return to Albert Square proper this week… Gillian Taylforth tells Soaplife how it happened and what to expect...

What’s it like to be back at EastEnders?

“It’s lovely being back. I’m really enjoying it. It’s lovely seeing some of the people I used to work with before and to meet the new people.”

How did it feel to be such a dramatic part of the live 30th anniversary episode?

“It was amazing. It was wonderful they chose that time to have me back. It could have been any time, but it was just amazing to be involved with the legacy of 30 years of EastEnders.”

Was it hard to keep such a big secret?

“It was very difficult! I couldn’t tell my children, I couldn’t tell my sister or my family, who I tell everything to. They were all saying to me around the anniversary week, ‘EastEnders is good this week!’ and I just had to say nothing!”

How did they react when you actually appeared on screen?

“When I came on screen, my brother just texted me, saying, ‘What the…!’ And I had so many texts from people about it all saying, ‘Oh my God! I can’t believe you're back!’”

Did it take long to get back into Kathy’s shoes?

“No. Once I did a couple of scenes with Steve [McFadden, who plays Phil] and wore her jewellery, it was like I’d never been away! I can’t wait to do scenes in The Vic and in the cafe. Then I’ll think I’m home.”

What’s it like working with Paul Nicholas, who plays Kathy's husband, Gavin?

“He’s lovely and he’s a really nice guy. We had quite a few laughs. We had some lovely stuff to do at an airfield and at a railway station, so we were thrown into it straight away.”

Can you describe what’s coming up for Kathy in three words?

“Emotional. Life-affirming. Guilt.”

EastEnders, BBC1.

EastEnders has released behind the scenes photos of a stunt in which Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) appears to be about to end his life. The scene was filmed at Queen Elizabeth Park in Straford, east London for an upcoming episode.

But Ian appears like he won't be allowed to go quietly...

Ian's supposedly dead mother Kathy (Gillian Taylforth) suddenly arrives on the scene. What will this ghostly apparition do to a man on the edge?

A close-up of the stunt shows Adam is securely fastened and won't fall, but it still takes some nerve getting up to the height at which they're filming.

Ian and Jane (Laurie Brett) are gobsmacked when they see Kathy approaching...

This better be good! Find out why Ian has decided to try to end it all and what Kathy has been doing for so many years when the scenes screen on EastEnders in the autumn.

EastEnders fans have a juicy storyline to look forward to when Kathy Beale makes her full-time return – her comeback scenes have been filmed with menacing ex-husband Gavin Sullivan.

New pictures show Gillian Taylforth, who plays Kathy, and Paul Nicholas, cast as Gavin, shooting at London King’s Cross St Pancras station – and from the looks of things, Gavin will make Kathy’s return to Walford anything but smooth.

Viewers saw Kathy seemingly return from the dead during the BBC soap’s live week, when she reappeared to speak to Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) despite apparently having died off screen years earlier.

Kathy (Gillian Taylforth) is disturbed to see her ex Gavin (Paul Nicholas) (BBC)

Kathy looks terrified of her ex Gavin in the station scenes, and possibly with good reason, as he’s said to know where many of Albert Square’s bodies are buried.

Gavin is set to follow Kathy to her old home when she goes into hiding with ex Phil.

Paul said of his casting: “I am delighted to be joining the wonderful cast of EastEnders for what is going to be an exciting time. I can’t wait to get started and seeing what’s in store for my character.”

Gavin (Paul Nicholas) and Kathy (Gillian Taylforth) run into each other in the station (BBC)

Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins added that he was pleased to have signed the former pop star and Just Good Friends actor.

He said: “We are all thrilled. So many viewers have grown up with Paul so it’s brilliant to have him back on our screens.

“He’s a major part in Kathy’s explosive return to the Square, while holding the key to many more of the Square’s secrets.”

Paul Nicholas, the star of much-loved 1980s sitcom Just Good Friends, is joining the cast of EastEnders.

Paul will play the role of Gavin Sullivan, the estranged husband of Kathy (Gillian Taylforth), who fleetingly returned during a live scene for EastEnders' 30th anniversary.

Paul, 69, said: “I am delighted to be joining the wonderful cast of EastEnders for what is going to be an exciting time ahead. I can't wait to get started and seeing what's in store for my character”

EastEnders' executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins said: “We are all thrilled that Paul has agreed to join our cast to play Gavin. So many British television viewers have grown up with Paul Nicholas so it’s brilliant to have him back on our screens, playing a major part in Kathy’s explosive return to the Square, while also holding the key to many more of the Square’s secrets”

Kathy will be back in Albert Square this autumn, but just what exactly is she and old flame Phil hiding? Where have Kathy and Gavin been and why is Gavin being kept in the dark?

Paul rose to to national fame playing loveable Vince in Just Good Friends, opposite Jan Francis, but has had a long and varied career on stage and screen, including roles in feature films like Tommy and dramas such as The Royal Today, Holby City and Burnside.

EastEnders' boss Dominic Treadwell-Collins has teased Kathy Beale's imminent return to Walford – and her other half, Gavin, may be following her!

Treadwell-Collins tweeted a portion of a shooting script on Wednesday afternoon, which seemed to indicate that Kathy had swindled her mysterious husband.

He's on his way... #EastEnders #KathysBack #Gavin pic.twitter.com/nR989oQqi2

— DomTreadwellCollins (@dominictc) June 17, 2015

There has been speculation that 'Gavin' is Sharon Mitchell's real father, but all will become clear when Kathy (Gillian Taylforth) returns to EastEnders permanently.

Naughty girl, indeed.

The return of Kathy Beale is the start of the 'most earth-shattering storylines ever', according to the soap's boss Dominic Treadwell-Collins.

One of EastEnders true icons, Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth), shocked fans when she returned to the show in a live scene on Thursday night.

EastEnders' executive producer Treadwell-Collins said: “I have always made my feelings on Kathy Beale and Gillian Taylforth very clear – she is part of EastEnders history, mother to Ian and Ben and one of the most important and iconic television characters on British television. Six months ago, we set ourselves the challenge of bringing Kathy back to the Square in a credible way. And I believe we have succeeded.

"Viewers will have to keep watching to find out exactly why Kathy ‘died’, where she has been all these years and why she now wants to come home to Albert Square. This is only the beginning of one of the most earth-shattering storylines EastEnders has ever seen…”

Kathy was last seen in EastEnders in 2000 before returning to South Africa and viewers were led to believe she was killed in a car crash. However when Kathy returns to Walford later this year, viewers will learn where Kathy has been and why she has stayed away so long.

Gillian said" “When Dominic approached me with his plan, I was so shocked I got into my car and burst into tears! ‘Kathy’ has always been so close to my heart and it’s absolutely wonderful to be returning to the show and reprising the role.”

Adam Woodyatt, who plays her on-screen son, added: “I’m thrilled, I couldn’t be happier. I’ve finally got my mum back! I’ve been keeping this secret for so long and now I just can’t wait to work with her again.”

Kathy appeared in the very first episode of EastEnders on February 19, 1985.

EastEnders goes live tonight at 8pm to broadcast the aftermath of the revelation that Bobby Beale killed his sister, Lucy.