Exclusive: Charlie Slater to make brief 'Enders return

EastEnders fans will see Charlie Slater make a brief return to Albert Square later this year, Digital Spy can confirm.

Actor Derek Martin - who played the character for a decade - has recently been filming a two-episode guest stint with the BBC soap and viewers can expect to see Charlie back on screen in a few weeks' time.

Charlie left the Square at the beginning of this year after his daughter Kat (Jessie Wallace) blamed him for the loss of her newborn son Tommy. He had failed to properly supervise the baby while a party was being held at the Queen Vic on New Year's Eve, paving the way for Ronnie Branning (Samantha Womack) to secretly swap the child with her dead son James.

Although Kat later made peace with Charlie, he went away to live with daughter Lynne after deciding that it was best for him to leave Walford.

Speaking of Charlie's forthcoming return, an EastEnders source today told DS: "Although they've had their ups and downs, Kat deeply regrets pushing Charlie away. The pair have a tearful reunion and there won't be a dry eye in the house."

Kat, her husband Alfie and the rest of Walford's residents are currently unaware of Ronnie's terrible secret - still believing that Tommy suffered cot death. However, the Moons are expected to be reunited with their child in April.

Meanwhile, show bosses are keeping the door open for more future appearances from Charlie once his latest stint on the Square is over.

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