Lucy Beale

[Perdita]

EastEnders bosses have announced that Lucy Beale will be returning to Walford in the New Year.

Actress Hetti Bywater is taking over the role of Lucy, who has been tipped to cause more trouble for her dad Ian (Adam Woodyatt) once she makes her Albert Square comeback.

Lucy has been living in Devon for over a year, but she is missing London life and finally decides to return home when she hears about some sad news from the Square.

As Lucy arrives back in Walford, she makes the mistake of thinking that she will be the only girl in Ian's life - and is surprised to learn of his new relationship with Mandy Salter (Nicola Stapleton).

It soon becomes clear that Lucy is far from impressed by Ian's choice of partner, and she will not make life easy for her father as she goes head-to-head with Mandy.

Speaking of her EastEnders casting, Bywater commented: "I'm really excited to be joining such an iconic show as EastEnders, especially becoming part of the Beale household. I'm looking forward to finding out what's in store for Lucy and seeing what she's going to get up to when she returns to Walford."

Lucy was last seen on screen in August 2010 with Melissa Suffield portraying the role. EastEnders will air the character's return scenes in January 2012.

Bywater has previously appeared in Casualty and Doctors

[Timalay]

Took Eastenders long enough. Thought they had forgotten about recasting her.
Now we need Peter Beale back.

[lizann]

Whats the bad news that brings her back Pat's death or Jane leaving again?

[tammyy2j]

^ This is her (looks like a younger Tanya)

[Katy]

she looks a lot older to me

[LostVoodoo]

She probably won't get on with Mandy because they're too similar! Could be good, I reckon it will be Pat's death that will bring her back. I wonder if she's grown up at all...?

[alan45]

EastEnders reintroduces Lucy Beale to Albert Square next week as she returns home for Pat's funeral.

Lucy, now played by Hetti Bywater, has been tipped to wreak more havoc in Walford in upcoming episodes as she settles back in after more than a year living away in Devon.


© BBC

Pictured: Hetti Bywater as Lucy Beale.

With preparations for Pat's send-off well under way in next week's episodes, Ian (Adam Woodyatt) tells some white lies to girlfriend Mandy (Nicola Stapleton) - claiming that Lucy and Peter are both too busy to attend.

In fact, Ian hasn't been in contact with either of the twins to tell them about the funeral - and they don't know anything about Mandy either!

Unfortunately for Ian, Lucy manages to find out about Walford's planned farewell to Pat - and he's in for a shock when the troublesome teen arrives back unexpectedly, demanding to know the reason for the secrecy.

As Lucy comes face-to-face with Mandy, she also demands to know who this stranger is.


© BBC

Pictured: Lucy wants answers as she arrives back on the Square.

Far from impressed over her father's choice of partner, it looks like Lucy will be going head-to-head with Mandy - leaving Ian caught in the middle. But who will come out on top in their battle of wits?

It also doesn't take long for Lucy to get up to more mischief as she ends up taking alcopops to Pat's funeral - which delights Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa).

When Bywater's casting as Lucy was announced in November, she commented: "I'm really excited to be joining such an iconic show as EastEnders, especially becoming part of the Beale household. I'm looking forward to finding out what's in store for Lucy and seeing what she's going to get up to when she returns to Walford."


© BBC


Lucy was last seen in Walford in August 2010, when she left the area to live with her grandmother.

EastEnders airs the character's return scenes on Thursday, January 12 at 7.30pm on BBC One.

[Perdita]

EastEnders star Nicola Stapleton has predicted that returnee Lucy Beale will do "everything she can" to cause trouble for Mandy Salter.

Stapleton's character Mandy is currently in a relationship with Lucy's father Ian (Adam Woodyatt), but the businessman has not told his daughter about the romance.

Lucy, now played by Hetti Bywater, arrives back in Walford next week and is shocked to find Mandy living in the Beale house.

Stapleton told All About Soap: "Ian promised Mandy that he'd told the twins about their relationship, so she's a bit surprised when Lucy arrives home for Pat's funeral and starts demanding answers about Ian's love life.

"Lucy definitely has her nose put out of joint when she realises she's not Ian's number one any more. She's going to do everything she can to undermine his relationship with Mandy."

The actress also offered her take on Mandy and Ian's turbulent relationship, admitting that there are not strong feelings between the pair.

"It's never going to be the love affair of the year or anything, but it's a situation that suits the pair of them at this moment in time," she explained.

"She likes the stability that Ian gives her, and he definitely likes having a trophy girlfriend on his arm - so they're both happy. It'll be a while before they start talking about their long-term future."

EastEnders continues tonight at 7.30pm on BBC One.

[Kim]

I would have thought Mandy and Lucy would get on well. Seems Lucy will never approve of any potential stepmother.

[Perdita]

I would have thought Mandy and Lucy would get on well. Seems Lucy will never approve of any potential stepmother.

I think if Ian had had the guts to tell her that he is living with Mandy, she might have had a different attitude, she is probably just reacting to his lies.