THIS EastEnders LEGEND is heading back to Walford next month after THREE years away

EastEnders logo

Pam Coker is returning to Walford next month, and one person in particular is going to be thrilled to see her...

There's a familiar face heading back to EastEnders next month when Lin Blakley reprises her role as the loveable Pam Coker for two episodes as the next chapter for Ben Mitchell and Callum Highway begins.

EastEnders fans will remember that lovely Pam left Walford with her husband Les back in 2016 to make a fresh start away from the memories of their beloved grandson Paul.

This isn't the first time Lin has reprised her role, as Pam has been seen popping back to Walford a few times since she left, and she is set to make another comeback in early November.

Pam Coker, Les Coker, EastEnders

Les and Pam Coker left Walford back in 2016 (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC/Kieron McCarron)

While Pam might be in town on business, that doesn't stop her catching up with Ben Mitchell who was in a serious relationship with Paul at the time he was killed in a horrific homophobic attack.

The pair have got a great bond, and Lin has revealed to Digital Spy that her return causes some conflict for Ben... "Pam comes back to do something with the funeral parlour, but while she is there she wants to see everyone she loves, including Ben. However, she quickly picks up on something and knows there is something going on."

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With Ben having moved on with Callum, seeing Pam is likely to be a blast from the past for Ben and could leave him confused... "She feels in her heart that Paul would want Ben to move on - we have to in life. He is only young and she knows that's what he needs to do. She really stresses that to him. Ben thinks of Pam as his nan, and he listens to her.

EastEnders Pam Coker Les Coker Ben Mitchell

Last time Lin was on set as Pam, Ben Mitchell was played by Harry Reid (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC/Jack Barnes)

"She tells Ben that if Callum has come into his life, and it feels right, then he should go with it. She tells him to be happy and she genuinely means it. It's difficult to visualise in Soapland but Ben does actually visit Les and Pam off screen and that's never going to stop."

Lin also addressed the fact that Ben Mitchell looks a little different to the last time she saw him. Since she last reprised her role as Pam, the character has been taken over by actor Max Bowden...

Ben and Callum go on a date in EastEnders

Paul was the love of Ben's life... until he met Callum. (Picture: BBC)

"To be perfectly honest, I didn't really think about it as it seemed so natural. I loved Harry (Reid, who played Ben previously) he is a gorgeous kid and so is Max equally - he is a lovely actor."

EastEnders airs Monday and Friday at 8pm and Tuesday and Thursday 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.