EXCITEMENT in EastEnders as THIS fan favourite returns to Walford

EastEnders logo

Ritchie Scott is making a return to Walford...

Next week's EastEnders sees Ritchie Scott make a long-awaited comeback to Albert Square as she rushes to help Phil Mitchell after he finds himself in trouble again.

Ritchie, played by actress Sian Webber, is better known to soap fans as Phil Mitchell's long-suffering solicitor, responsible for getting him out of countless legal dramas over the years.

Phil arrives at Dennis's wake in EastEnders

Phil made a shock return to EastEnders tonight (Picture: BBC)

The hot-shot lawyer is back in Walford next week when she is called to help Phil once again.

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After making his anticipated return to Albert Square tonight, Phil will soon end up handing himself in to the police for causing the boat crash that claimed the life of Sharon's teenage son, Denny.

Ritchie is brought in next week to help Phil avoid getting arrested for the tragedy... but this isn't the first time that Ritchie has had to save Phil's bacon.

Ritchie talks to the carters

Ritchie has been a reoccurring character since 2005 (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC)

The solicitor has come to the Mitchell family's aid countless times over the years, but her relationship with Phil took a sour turn back in 2015.

The fall out come when Ritche refused to help Phil after he was accused of tampering with the brakes on a car and almost killing his cousin, Ronnie.

Phil then got his revenge on Ritchie by stealing her little black book of criminal clients, and threatened to make it public unless she forgot about their debt.

Phil Mitchell EastEnders

Phil is questioned by the police after he hands himself in for causing the boat crash (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes)

Over recent years Ritchie has also represented other residents on the Square who have found themselves on the wrong side of the law.

Not only did she help free Mick Carter after he was accused of shooting Stuart Highway, but she has also represented Bobby Beale when he attacked stepmum Jane Beale after killing his sister, Lucy.

Phil Mitchell EastEnders

Will Ritchie be able to save Phil from prison? (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes)

Will Ritchie, who was first seen in EastEnders back in 2005, be able to save Phil from prison?

And could she be the one to unearth the truth about Ian's involvement in Denny's death?

EastEnders will temporarily air a reduced schedule of two episodes a week. Watch on Mondays at 8pm and Tuesdays at 7:30pm on BBC One. 

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 


After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off


She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 


As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.