Bryan
18-06-2006, 16:19
LUCY Benjamin is set to make a dramatic return to EastEnders, The People can reveal.
She has been approached by BBC bosses over a return to her role as Lisa Fowler following her stunning victory on TV's Celebrity X Factor.
Actress Lucy, 35, was controversially axed from the soap almost four years ago for "storyline reasons" by the then executive producer Louise Berridge.
But the regime now in charge of the BBC soap are convinced Lucy's return would be a ratings winner.
A source revealed: "Lucy's victory on Celebrity X Factor showed just how popular she still is with the British public.
"For a TV soap like EastEnders to ignore one of their former stars when she has just received this sort of acclaim would be madness.
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"There have been rumours before about Lucy's return to Albert Square, but this time things are much more concrete." Lucy's X Factor triumph has given her career a new lease of life after it spiralled out of control amid sex and drug revelations.
The People revealed in February 2004 how she snorted cocaine before joining a topless model in bed.
She had hit a lowpoint after splitting up from boyfriend Steve McFadden, alias EastEnders hardman Phil Mitchell. Former pal Emma Kearney said at the time: "She needs to stop partying and focus on getting her life back together."
Now a rejuvenated Lucy has done just that. When she was written out of the soap, Lisa disappeared to Por tuga l t o escape Phil Mitchell's clutches, taking their daughter Louise with her. But despite the vanishing act Lisa was not killed off in the storyline, leaving the way free for an eventual return.
At the time the actress admitted: "It's a huge stigma being sacked. It implies you've done something wrong."
She is currently four months pregnant with her baby by oil trader Richard Taggart, 29. The pair met a year ago on a flight to Dubai and got married in March.
Pals say Lucy has told EastEnders chiefs she would love to rejoin the soap, but only after her baby is born.
One friend said: "Lucy is delighted to be returning to East- Enders. But she has made it clear that giving birth later this year is her first priority.
"Lucy is still very ambitious in her career and believes she can juggle being a mum and a soap star perfectly well."
A spokesman for Lucy said last night that a return to Albert Square was "speculation".
An EastEnders spokesman said: "We never discuss plans for future storylines."
She has been approached by BBC bosses over a return to her role as Lisa Fowler following her stunning victory on TV's Celebrity X Factor.
Actress Lucy, 35, was controversially axed from the soap almost four years ago for "storyline reasons" by the then executive producer Louise Berridge.
But the regime now in charge of the BBC soap are convinced Lucy's return would be a ratings winner.
A source revealed: "Lucy's victory on Celebrity X Factor showed just how popular she still is with the British public.
"For a TV soap like EastEnders to ignore one of their former stars when she has just received this sort of acclaim would be madness.
Advertisement
"There have been rumours before about Lucy's return to Albert Square, but this time things are much more concrete." Lucy's X Factor triumph has given her career a new lease of life after it spiralled out of control amid sex and drug revelations.
The People revealed in February 2004 how she snorted cocaine before joining a topless model in bed.
She had hit a lowpoint after splitting up from boyfriend Steve McFadden, alias EastEnders hardman Phil Mitchell. Former pal Emma Kearney said at the time: "She needs to stop partying and focus on getting her life back together."
Now a rejuvenated Lucy has done just that. When she was written out of the soap, Lisa disappeared to Por tuga l t o escape Phil Mitchell's clutches, taking their daughter Louise with her. But despite the vanishing act Lisa was not killed off in the storyline, leaving the way free for an eventual return.
At the time the actress admitted: "It's a huge stigma being sacked. It implies you've done something wrong."
She is currently four months pregnant with her baby by oil trader Richard Taggart, 29. The pair met a year ago on a flight to Dubai and got married in March.
Pals say Lucy has told EastEnders chiefs she would love to rejoin the soap, but only after her baby is born.
One friend said: "Lucy is delighted to be returning to East- Enders. But she has made it clear that giving birth later this year is her first priority.
"Lucy is still very ambitious in her career and believes she can juggle being a mum and a soap star perfectly well."
A spokesman for Lucy said last night that a return to Albert Square was "speculation".
An EastEnders spokesman said: "We never discuss plans for future storylines."