Michelle Ryan to make Walford return?

Michelle Ryan has apparently been persuaded by BBC bosses to return to EastEnders after a break of more than five years.

The actress vowed in December that she would not return to her role as Walford's Zoe Slater, likening her time on the soap to "an apprenticeship" within the industry.

However, The People reports that the 25-year-old will be back for at least a month at Christmas to tie in with the confirmed returns of her screen mum Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) and husband Alfie (Shane Richie).

However, a BBC spokeswoman denied that Ryan has been approached, saying: "Speculation is rife about returning characters but this is not true. However, as with all characters, we would never say never."

Ryan first joined the cast of EastEnders in 2000 and appeared in more than 500 episodes, before deciding to quit for a career in the US. Despite leaving Albert Square, Ryan later acknowledged that she will always be associated with the soap.