Hunter Owen (Charlie Winter)

[Perdita]

When Mel Owen surprises old flame Ian Beale by turning up in Albert Square next year, she won't be coming alone.

EastEnders has revealed that Tamzin Outhwaite's return to the soap will coincide with the introduction of newcomer Charlie Winter, who'll be playing Mel Owen's teenage son Hunter.

http://digitalspyuk.cdnds.net/17/51/768x903/gallery-1513898600-melandhunter.jpg
Charlie Winter and Tamzin Outhwaite as Hunter and Mel Owen in EastEnders
© BBC

Mel was last seen fleeing Walford 16 years ago while pregnant with Steve Owen's (Martin Kemp) child, meaning that Hunter will have grown up far away from the drama of Albert Square.

Hunter is described by soap bosses as being charming and charismatic like his father, but viewers will soon discover if he also shares Steve Owen's sinister tendencies as well.

"I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be on such an iconic show as EastEnders," Charlie Winter said today (December 22).

"It still feels really surreal that this has happened. It's an exciting time for me and I can't wait to get stuck in and for everyone to meet Hunter."

Tamzin Outhwaite's return to EastEnders stunned long-time fans of the show, since she was last seen on screen in the BBC One soap all the way back in 2002.

The character of Mel Owen is being brought back by interim producer John Yorke, who has announced a sweeping overhaul to the cast in the last few months.

On their way out of Albert Square are Lorna Fitzgerald (Abi Branning), Jacqueline Jossa (Lauren Branning), Harry Reid (Ben Mitchell) and Ted Reilly (Johnny Carter) to make room for some returning favourites.
The New Year will see Maisie Smith reprising her role as Tiffany Butcher, as well as a reunion of the Slater family when Jessie Wallace (Kat Slater), Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) and Big Mo (Laila Morse) arrive to sort out Stacey Fowler (Lacey Turner).


Digital Spy

[tammyy2j]

Well another case of looking older than 16

A boyfriend for Bex or Louise?

[lizann]

he really wants to be a psychopath, deserves a good hiding

[kaz21]

Can he be killed off next!

[lizann]

Can he be killed off next!

he is leaving

[kaz21]

https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a25757136/eastenders-spoilers-hunter-owen-charlie-winter-exit/?utm_content=buffer2ea18&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=mainfacebookpost

Yay. It feels longer than a year tho.

[Perdita]

I might not be entitled to say this as not a regular viewer but the odd time I catch an episode, not bothered not seeing him again

[lizann]

I might not be entitled to say this as not a regular viewer but the odd time I catch an episode, not bothered not seeing him again

of course you are entitled i want mammy mel gone too

[Perdita]

of course you are entitled i want mammy mel gone too

I think Mel is another return after a long time that has failed .. only my opinion of course as rare viewer ... just still have not been grabbed by any storylines that say I need to watch again.....

[lizann]

who will hunter shoot with the gun, keanu billy phil or jack?

[parkerman]

who will hunter shoot with the gun, keanu billy phil or jack?
Mick Carter hopefully.

[Perdita]

https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a28387816/eastenders-hunter-owen-killed-off-charlie-winter-storyline-rumours/

EastEnders is reportedly set to air a shocking new death storyline later this year – and it looks like Hunter Owen is the unlucky victim who's about to be killed off for good.

Hunter, who is played by Charlie Winter, has been off screen since April, when he was sent to prison for killing his stepdad Ray Kelly.

Last month, Digital Spy exclusively revealed that Charlie will be reprising his role as Hunter for a short stint later this summer, and while show chiefs are keeping tight-lipped about what brings Hunter back to the show, a new report suggests it won't end well for the killer teen.

New storyline rumours suggest that Hunter's return will end in tragedy as it leads up to his death in a dramatic plot that will shake Albert Square, according to The Daily Star.

The plot is also set to tie in with Mel Hunter's exit from the soap after it was confirmed earlier this week that actress Tamzin Outhwaite would be leaving the soap later this year. The actress will be filming her final scenes over the next few weeks, with Mel's explosive exit story set to play out on screen in early autumn.

Mel's best friend Lisa Fowler (Lisa Benjamin) will also be making a comeback to Walford in the coming weeks, but any further storyline details are being kept quiet for now.

Although Mel and Hunter worked together to cover up Ray's murder at New Year, Hunter ended up taking the blame to ensure that his mother would remain free. Mel told Hunter that she'd support him throughout – and would be working on a revenge plan to make Jack Branning pay for getting him locked up too.

Meanwhile, Charlie has recently been focusing on his music career, releasing tracks on his YouTube page under the name 'Chaz'.

[parkerman]

At least it will be an "explosive" exit.

Perhaps it will have something to do with Bobby Beale!

[lizann]

At least it will be an "explosive" exit.

Perhaps it will have something to do with Bobby Beale!

how does he get out or die inside?

[lizann]

so he dies taking louise just like steve