It appears that EastEnders baddie Dean Wicks may be set to make a surprise comeback to the BBC soap – just in time for the big Christmas storyline.
The BBC are yet to confirm the potential return, but some fans are convinced there have been multiple hints over the last few months which point to Dean's dramatic return.
Dean, played by actor Matt Di Angelo, was last seen on Albert Square in 2016, when he managed to evade justice for the rape of his sister-in-law Linda Carter.
But with his brother Mick now missing and presumed dead, and his mother Shirley having left the Square, it seems that the stage may be set for the villainous Dean to make his return.
Here are all the clues that may have given away the twist that will soon unfold…
Photo leak
Eagle-eyed EastEnders fans became convinced that Dean will soon be making his return, when a man who looked very much like Matt was seen on the show's set in the background of a teaser video.
Aaliyah James, who plays Avani, gave EastEnders fans a sneak peek of the Christmas storyline on TikTok in which she shared a touching tribute to the late Lola displayed at the Queen Vic's bar – but it was a mystery male actor in the background that got fans talking.
Shirley twist
Dean made something of a comeback earlier this year, when he could be seen in a photo sent to Linda – with fans immediately predicting that he would soon be returning to Albert Square.
Dean was thought to have been estranged from his family for years, but it seems that after losing one son, his mother Shirley has reconnected with him.
After leaving Walford following Mick's death, Shirley went to stay with her daughter Carly, and it was Carly who sent Linda a photo showing that Shirley had been doing okay.
However, the photo left Linda terrified when she noticed Dean's reflection in the mirror behind Shirley, showing that the mother-and-son appeared to be back on speaking terms.
Kathy's comments
After receiving the photo from Carly showing that she and Shirley were in close contact with Dean, Linda confided in Kathy Beale that she was terrified that he would soon return to Walford.
Comforting Linda, Kathy told her that Dean would need to "be careful" if he did indeed decide to return to the Square.
Kathy also promised to protect Linda if Dean returned, with fans convinced these comments will inevitably lead to a confrontation in the coming months.
Hints about Christmas
When we found out that Linda was one of six women present at a murder scene on Christmas Day, and that a mystery man would die, it wasn't long before Dean's name came up.
If Linda was involved and possibly the killer, it had to be someone she could kill – either deliberately or in self-defence.
With whispers of Dean's return, fans quickly predicted his comeback would lead to a dramatic face-off on Christmas Day, with Dean quickly becoming a top guess for the body found in The Vic this Christmas.
Gina Knight's ex-boyfriend
Gina recently opened up about her heartbreak over an ex-boyfriend in Marbella who had moved on with a friend soon after her move to Walford.
Viewers think the constant mentions of her ex could mean he's a past character and Dean is tipped to be the mystery man due to his and the Knight's link to Linda.
EastEnders is shown from Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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